U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio holds security talks with Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, held a phone call on Wednesday with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, during which the two leaders discussed regional stability in the Horn of Africa and long-term security cooperation.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of State, the discussion focused on “joint cooperation regarding regional stability, counterterrorism efforts, economic development, and the establishment of a robust security framework for the long-term future of the Horn of Africa.”

The statement, issued by the department’s Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, emphasized that the conversation highlighted priority areas for U.S.–Ethiopia collaboration in the region, particularly security and stability. No further details were provided regarding specific initiatives or agreements resulting from the call.

This latest discussion follows a similar phone call between the two leaders in early December 2025, which also concentrated on regional security cooperation. That earlier call was noted by Addis Standard as unusual because it did not address domestic Ethiopian political issues, humanitarian concerns, or governance matters, which are typically part of formal U.S.–Ethiopia dialogues.

Meanwhile, the phone call comes shortly after a visit to the region by the new commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson, who traveled to Ethiopia, Somaliland, and Puntland. AFRICOM stated that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen U.S. efforts against extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Shabaab while expanding security cooperation with regional governments.

Officials and analysts suggest that these diplomatic engagements reflect Washington’s increasing focus on counterterrorism and regional stability amid growing security and political challenges in the Horn of Africa. The U.S. seeks to consolidate partnerships with key regional actors to address threats from armed groups, improve intelligence sharing, and ensure long-term peace and security.

The discussions also underscore the strategic significance of Ethiopia in U.S. policy in East Africa, given the country’s influence in regional peacekeeping, economic integration initiatives, and political mediation efforts. While no public agreements were announced, observers expect ongoing coordination between Washington and Addis Ababa to address emerging crises and bolster the capabilities of regional partners.

Overall, these interactions indicate a deepening of diplomatic and security ties between the U.S. and Ethiopia, highlighting Washington’s commitment to sustaining stability in a region facing both internal and cross-border challenges from militant groups, governance disputes, and humanitarian pressures.