Ethiopia increases military budget by 800% days after US and UK pledge famine relief

A few days after a $90 million combined famine relief programme directed to Ethiopia was promised by the United States and the United Kingdom, following the country’s appeal for aid, its government (Ethiopia) has announced to increase its $50 million military spending per annum to US$400, a 800% increase.

According to Aljazeera, Ethiopia’s finance minister insisted that economic development can only be sustained “when there is stability in our region”, later adding “We believe that this amount is proportional.”