presence

NAIROBI, Kenya - Picture this: Ethiopia, a nation entrenched in the heart of the Horn of Africa, is rethinking its military engagements within its own territories. The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) are pulling back from several locales, a move as bold as a lion's roar in the Serengeti. This ambitious recalibration aims to bolster Ethiopia's defense along its borders, where the stakes are as high as an elephant's eye. For generations, the Ethiopian government—ever like a diligent gardener—has deployed its…

As dawn broke on a chilly morning in Port-au-Prince, the sleepy Toussaint Louverture International Airport hummed with activity uncommon for its usual routine. Stepping off a plane, with an air of determined anticipation, came a fresh wave of Kenyan police officers, on a mission as vital as it is daunting. It's not every day you see a contingent of officers journeying halfway across the globe, but then again, this was no ordinary task. They were here for a cause that everyone hoped would become a beacon of hope for a…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has underscored its plan to maintain its soldiers in Somalia as a part of the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But there’s a hefty roadblock: Somalia demands the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops unless Ethiopia cancels its controversial sea access deal with North Western State of Somalia, hinged on mutual recognition. This agreement strives to offer Ethiopia a path to the Red Sea if it acknowledges North Western State of Somalia’s autonomy,…

In a striking announcement, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s chief diplomat, articulated that the Ethiopian Embassy, nestled within the Somali Presidential Palace since 2007, would remain put for the moment, despite simmering discontent from the Somali authorities. Ethiopia set up its embassy in Villa Somalia after its military marched into Mogadishu in December 2006. This intervention was intended to bolster the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) against rebel factions, notably the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).Although…

Egyptian military advisors, instructors, and commandos are assisting Somali forces in battling Al Shabab militants.From left, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: AFPEgypt is amplifying its military presence in Somalia ahead of Ethiopia's December 31 deadline to withdraw, concurrently training and aiding Somali forces against Al Qaeda-affiliated militants, sources revealed to The National on Tuesday.Both Egypt and Somalia, belonging to…

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, has firmly expressed his disapproval of Egypt's decision to deploy troops for peacekeeping in Somalia. His criticism comes amid discussions focused on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the envisioned African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), stirring the pot regarding Egypt's growing military ambitions in the Horn of Africa. The ongoing reevaluation of peacekeeping strategies in Somalia,…

Somali Leaders Hold Secretive Talks Over Ethiopian Troops MOGADISHU, Somalia — Amid swirling tensions around Ethiopian military presence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is in a fragile negotiation with Abdiaziz Laftagareen, the president of Somalia's Southwest State, insiders disclosed Tuesday. The high-stakes meeting, shrouded in secrecy, seeks to tackle the thorny issue of Ethiopian soldiers jostling around Somalia's sovereignty and regional tranquility. This happens against the backdrop of geopolitical plays involving…

Somalia Challenges Ethiopia's Red Sea Ambitions MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has voiced strong opposition to Ethiopia's moves toward the Red Sea, accusing Ethiopia of aiming for military control under the guise of seeking port access.   This firm stance follows a controversial accord between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia. The deal grants Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, recognizing North Western State of Somalia's sovereignty, which Somalia views as a direct threat to its…

President Joe Biden has strongly asserted that the "Quad" alliance will endure despite global pressures and the looming threat of a U.S. election that may see Donald Trump regain the presidency. This statement came as he welcomed the leaders from Japan, India, and Australia for a poignant farewell summit in his hometown.

Addis Ababa (AX) — Ethiopia has openly raised eyebrows with the United States regarding the looming possibility of Egyptian soldiers being stationed in Somalia. This concern comes hot on the trail of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which will wrap up at the close of 2024. Things aren’t exactly cozy between Ethiopia and Somalia these days, as both nations have been building their security rapport with Egypt, causing a bit of a row. The spat kicked off earlier this year when Ethiopia inked a deal with…