Mogadishu Bars Ethiopian Forces from AU Mission in Somalia amid Diplomatic Strains
FILE – Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama – Official X account
There’s a significant shake-up brewing with Somalia’s stance on engagement in regional security. In a strategic twist reported by Hiiran, November 2024, the Somali government intends to shut the door on Ethiopian military participation in the upcoming African Union mission. This mission, slated to kick off in January 2025, is set to take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Explaining this landmark decision on Somali national TV, Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama disclosed that Ethiopia’s actions rubbed Somalia the wrong way, prompting this firm stance. Minister Jama, diving straight to the nitty-gritty during Saturday’s broadcast, remarked on Ethiopia’s attempts at meddling, which Somalia interprets as a serious affront to its sovereignty and territorial autonomy. The gist? No more room for Ethiopian boots on Somali soil under the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
This diplomatic rift traces back to a prickly issue that arose earlier this year. It centers around a controversial Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia, the self-declared state. The deal, inked in early 2024, grants Ethiopia a tantalizing potential for sea access—something Somalia sees as trampling all over its sovereign toes.
Several waves of discontent have resulted from this move, and tensions have notched up between the neighboring nations. Somali leaders have put their feet down, loud and clear, declaring that Ethiopian forces might only be welcomed into future African Union missions if Addis Ababa backs away from the thorny North Western State of Somalia agreement.
Somalia’s resolve has been a rallying cry against what it perceives as external encroachments. “It’s not just about troops; it’s about sovereignty,” a senior government official reportedly stressed, reflecting the widespread sentiment echoing across Somalia’s political landscape. The nation insists on stronger autonomy without neighboring countries casting shadows over its independence.
This episode underscores a broader canvas of regional geopolitics where land, security, and influence are continuously negotiated. How this diplomatic scuffle impacts broader African Union operations will undoubtedly be a focal point for observers from within and beyond the continent. In the end, Somalia’s firm nod to independence highlights the ongoing balancing act within African regional diplomacy.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
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