The Ethiopia-Uganda Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) commenced today, April 3, and will conclude on April 4, 2025, at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, following a six-year break.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, is leading a significant delegation that includes Ministers and technical officials from various sectors, including trade and investment, transport, immigration and customs, energy and natural resources development, and defence and security.
The JMC meetings are scheduled to be held biennially on a rotational basis, as outlined in the 2011 Agreement establishing the Commission. The previous session took place in 2019 in Kampala. After the hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this Fourth Session runs from April 3 to 4, 2025.
At the opening of the Senior Officials’ meeting this morning, Amb. Richard Kabonero, Head of the Department of Regional Economic Cooperation, who was representing Permanent Secretary Mr. Vincent Bagiire, spoke about the long-standing ties between Ethiopia and Uganda. He highlighted the exceptional cooperation between the two countries and stressed the significance of the JMC since its inception in 1993. He also reflected on the Third JMC held in Kampala in 2019.
“These engagements showcase Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared goals, such as economic collaboration and peace initiatives,” he said. “This Fourth Session provides a crucial opportunity to assess progress, address emerging challenges, and define future actions.”
Amb. Zerinu Abebe, the acting Director-General for African Affairs at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that this JMC would further enhance the close relationship between Ethiopia and Uganda. He emphasized the importance of their mutual bilateral and multilateral engagements, which will foster greater cooperation across various sectors.
“Today's discussions will allow us to reflect on our current cooperation and identify new areas for potential collaboration,” he added.
During the ongoing talks, Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda, Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, underscored the importance of concluding bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen the partnership, particularly in the areas of defence and security.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission to Africa, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, stressed the importance of regular JMC meetings to review the progress of bilateral relations.
She highlighted the role of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in ensuring that agreements are implemented and that the relationships continue to flourish. This session focuses on three key areas for cooperation: political and diplomatic affairs, defence and security cooperation, and economic development.
In political and diplomatic affairs, the goal is to enhance diplomatic consultations, regional peace and security cooperation, transboundary water management, and immigration matters.
On defence and security, the aim is to strengthen collaboration in defence, justice, law enforcement, and border security. For economic development, the aim is to expand partnerships in trade, energy, minerals, tourism, agriculture, and transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, and air transport.
During the discussions, the two sides will also address key issues such as trade barriers, market access, and immigration cooperation, reinforcing their commitment to overcoming challenges and fostering mutual benefits.
Regarding your question about the headline, "Begins" is the correct word to use as it indicates the start of the JMC, while "resumes" would suggest that the JMC had been paused and is now continuing.
