MOGADISHU, Somalia – A senior official has revealed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) won’t be involved in Somalia’s upcoming peacekeeping efforts. This could spark yet another prolonged clash that might hinder efforts to build the state.
As of January 2025, a brand new mission is planned to roll out, replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), it will feature a leaner troop presence.
Bitterness is brewing between Somalia and Ethiopia concerning sea access. Addis Ababa aims to peacefully secure access to the Red Sea for establishing a military outpost and port.
Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, in a chat on a state-run TV channel on Saturday, put it plainly: “The sole government so far that’s sidelined from participating in the new AU venture is Ethiopia. They’ve breached our sovereignty and national unity.”
For 17 spins around the sun, the African Union mission lent a hand to Somalia in its skirmish with al-Shabab, a ferocious extremist group intent on toppling just governance and pushing a strict brand of Islamic rule.
Initially, ATMIS, also touted as AMISOM, brought nearly 22,000 boots on the ground into Somalia. But a drawdown is imminent, as countries contributing forces are set to trim those numbers.
The soon-to-debut mission anticipates about 12,000 soldiers and will wrap up by 2028. According to reports by the Voice of America, Somalia has a track record of declining Ethiopian military involvement in missions on its turf.
Word is that Ethiopia’s participation might swing in only once Somalia retracts a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked with North Western State of Somalia, which seeks autonomy from Somalia. Ethiopia has vowed acknowledgment of North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty if this pact takes effect.
Former Defense Ministry Director, Professor Sonkor Geyre, voiced his stance on the matter, stating Somalia’s prerogative to cherry-pick participating nations while waving off unwelcome ones.
“It’s Somalia’s sovereign right to bench Ethiopia from the next AU mission due to perceived threats arising from actions like the MoU with North Western State of Somalia,” Geyre shared with VOA Somali.
Rumor has it Somalia has inked a security deal with Egypt, possibly aimed at amping up support for potential conflicts with Ethiopia. All the while, Ethiopia accuses Egypt of stirring the pot in the Horn of Africa.
Defense Minister Nur added, “There’s a process we’re working on. We’ll reveal more about the new players and the old ones stepping aside when it’s time.”
Nations like Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Djibouti, and Ethiopia have historically contributed troops to Somalia. Now, Somalia leans toward having Egypt lead the new mission – a shift not sitting well with some longtime supporters.
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