Thursday December 19, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali federal government is set to reverse its earlier decision to exclude Ethiopian troops from the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), according to diplomatic sources. Somalia has reportedly finalized troop allocations, drawing forces from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, and Kenya, according to diplomatic sources.
Harun Maruf, a prominent journalist covering Somali affairs, reported via tweet that a diplomatic source within the Somali government indicated a newfound openness to “exploring” a role for Ethiopian troops in the country’s broader security framework. This development, emerging in the wake of the Ankara Declaration, highlights a significant shift in Mogadishu’s position and reflects the gradually warming relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.
The December 11 agreement, facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirmed both nations' commitments to respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.
The African Union Peace and Security Council had previously approved AUSSOM, slated to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) starting January 2025.
In a significant development, Egypt plans to deploy approximately 10,000 troops to Somalia to replace Ethiopian forces. This shift is seen as part of a broader restructuring of Somalia's security partnerships, aligning with the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM.
UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect reports that Somalia has finalized troop allocations for AUSSOM from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, and Kenya, and to include statements from journalist Harun Maruf regarding Somalia’s openness to exploring a potential role for Ethiopian troops.