Relations between the United States and Ethiopia are advancing beyond traditional diplomacy and military cooperation into a broader strategic partnership, according to the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Africa Communications and Logistics Symposium in Addis Ababa, Massinga said Ethiopia’s selection to host the continental gathering reflected its role in regional stability, its development progress, and its capacity to hold major international conferences.

The forum, co-organized by Ethiopia and the United States, brings together representatives from more than 40 African nations and 25 US industry partners to enhance practical security cooperation across the continent.

Addressing delegates, Massinga said that genuine partnership was built on trust and transparency rather than slogans. He stressed that reliable logistics and communications infrastructure were vital for effective military missions, disaster response, border protection, and international peacekeeping.

The ambassador added that Ethiopia remained a key player shaping the direction of the region and the wider continent through its history, leadership, and strategic positioning.

He reiterated that Washington was committed to working alongside African nations as equal partners, supporting local priorities, and helping to build institutional capacity.

The symposium, he noted, provided a vital opportunity to establish a lasting framework to jointly tackle shared threats across the region, including terrorism, illicit trafficking, and cyber security risks.