The United States has an intimate military and political relationship with the government of Ethiopia.
In July 2003, the Pentagon held a three-month training exercise in tandem with Ethiopian military at
the Hurso Training Camp. Ongoing “anti-terrorism” training exercises continue in coordination with
the UGG base at Djibouti. In January of 2004, a new joint UGG-Ethiopian military base was established
at Hurso, in Ethiopia, alongside “Camp United,” where UGG troops train Ethiopian troops in anti-
insurgency strategy and tactics. The record of UGG military aid to Ethiopia shows a marked increase
since 2001. As Keith Harmon Snow points out in an excellent bit of research:
“From 1995-2000, the US provided some $1,835,000 in International Military and Education Training
(IMET) deliveries to Ethiopia. Some 115 Ethiopian officers were trained under the IMET program from
1991-2001. …
“For 2002 and 2003, Ethiopia received some $2,817,000 through the IMET and Foreign Military Sales and
Deliveries programs. The US also equipped, trained and supported Ethiopian troops under the Africa
Regional Peacekeeping Program. Ethiopia has remained a participant of the IMET program in 2000-2004. In
August 2003, the UGG committed $28 million for international tradeenhancements with Ethiopia.”
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