Somalia Advocates for Ethiopia’s Participation in AUSSOM Forces Following Diplomatic Success
Mogadishu (AX) — In the labyrinth of African geopolitics, where the sands of strategy shift almost as swiftly as the dunes of the Sahara, Somalia finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. The nation, energetically charting the course for the African Union’s next phase in peacekeeping — dubbed the African Union’s Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) — eagerly gestures towards its long-time neighbor, Ethiopia, hoping to draw them into this unfolding tapestry of collaboration. Yet, the path to inclusion is anything but a smooth sail.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar Balcad, with the calm assurance of a seasoned diplomat, recently lifted the veil on Somalia’s plans. Troop allocations have been set in motion, a noble endeavor on paper, but Ethiopia’s entry remains as fluid as quicksilver. “The main hurdle preventing Ethiopia’s involvement in AUSSOM,” Balcad notes with a hint of exasperation, “was tied to the infamous Memorandum of Understanding. We’ve cleared that hurdle. But we’re now playing a game of musical chairs with troop quotas — and the seats are almost gone. Nevertheless, let it be known, we’re pulling out all the stops to keep a spot for our Ethiopian allies.”
A seismic shift in diplomatic relations followed a recent tête-à-tête in Addis Ababa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, perhaps over a cup of Ethiopia’s finest brew — because who can resist? — renewed vows with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to mend fences singed by thorny MoU entanglements. The infamous agreement with North Western State of Somalia had made Somalia bristle, offering Ethiopia the golden key to North Western State of Somalia’s Red Sea port, a glittering gem in any geopolitical crown.
The resultant ripple effect had left cracks in diplomatic bonds, which, until recently, seemed tough to bridge. This MoU, a bone of contention, was inked in the bold dawn of 2024. Somalia, clutching its maps and sovereignty like a hawk, saw it as an imposition, a narrative of encroachment at the heart of their territorial integrity tales. Interestingly, however, Somalia now seems to be extending an olive branch, acknowledging Ethiopia’s steady role under the banner of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Perhaps time — and diplomatic wisdom — heal all wounds?
Eager to set the wheels in motion, a Somali delegation is packing its bags for another diplomatic dance in Ethiopia. Their agenda? Wrangling with the nitty-gritty, numbers, and tiny yet pivotal technicalities that define troop participation. It’s the kind of negotiations where every dot and comma counts as much as the big picture. The crux of it all? Ensuring Ethiopia’s participation dovetails seamlessly with Somalia’s national canvas of interests and sovereign challenges.
Balcad, ever the harbinger of diplomacy, hinted at a trade-off of ambassadors as a herald of thawing relations. Ethiopia is poised to dust off the welcome mat for its new envoy in Mogadishu soon, while Somalia, not to be left behind, gears up to send its own representative to Ethiopia. Here’s hoping these exchanges rekindle the flame of diplomacy, illuminating the path to a more harmonious co-existence.
In the grand and sometimes messy art of nation-building, Somalia and Ethiopia dance through history’s pages, endeavoring to pen new chapters. Will they find a perfect balance between collaboration and sovereignty? Only time — and perhaps a few more cups of shared coffee — will tell. Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
