Ethiopian Forces Omitted from Somalia’s New AU Mission Following North Western State of Somalia MoU Agreement

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant move, the Somali government recently declared that Ethiopian forces would be sidelined from the forthcoming African Union mission, which is set to replace the existing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, ATIMS, by January 2025.

Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama shared this pivotal decision during a chat with Somali National Television, highlighting Ethiopia’s purported breach of Somalia’s sovereignty as a key reason for their exclusion.

“Ethiopian forces have been officially excluded from the new AUSSOM mission of the African Union forces in Somalia starting early in 2025 because Ethiopia has violated the independence and territorial integrity of Somalia,” Minister Jama vocalized, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

This upcoming mission is dubbed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM. It’s being ushered in as the successor to ATMIS, thanks to backing from Egypt and Djibouti, who have expressed readiness to contribute to this new endeavor.

The exclusion decision comes amidst heightening tensions following Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding with North Western State of Somalia, inked in early 2024. This treaty promises Ethiopia potential sea access, a concession that is contingent on Ethiopian recognition of North Western State of Somalia as a sovereign entity—something Somalia has staunchly rejected, viewing it as an encroachment on its national integrity. Somalian leaders have been outspoken, making it clear that participation of any Ethiopian troops in future AU missions hinges on Addis Ababa renouncing the North Western State of Somalia pact.

Presently, Ethiopia has about 3,000 troops stationed in Somalia under the ATMIS framework, alongside a contingent of 5,000 to 7,000 additional soldiers stretched across other areas courtesy of a bilateral agreement.

The diplomatic landscape is tense, with Somalia adopting a principled stance, aiming to protect its sovereignty and territorial rights at all costs. Ethiopia’s actions have fueled a potent cocktail of diplomatic friction and regional discord, highlighting the complex fabric of alliances and disputes that define East African geopolitics.

This unfolding scenario is not just a reflection of territorial and sovereignty issues, but also a narrative about regional influence, national pride, and the intricate dance of diplomacy that nations tread as they balance power and ethics, sovereignty and collaboration in a world that is never black and white.

Amidst the backdrop of historical grievances and contemporary strategic interests, future relations between Somalia, Ethiopia, and their regional partners promise to be dynamic, laden with challenges but also ripe with opportunities for resolution and rapprochement if wisdom and mutual respect prevail.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring