Ethiopia

Post-ATMIS: Somalia to expel Ethiopian troops by December 2024

The Ethiopian National Defense Forces serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia. (Photo: AMISOM)

By Hanifa Adan | Sunday, June 2, 2024

Ethiopian forces will not be included in the African Union-led contingent set to operate in Somalia once the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) concludes.

Somalia's National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, announced that all Ethiopian troops are expected to leave Somalia by the end of December 2024.

This decision comes as Somalia aims to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, which it claims have been repeatedly violated by Ethiopia.

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As a result, Ethiopian forces will not be included in the African Union-led contingent set to operate in Somalia once the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) concludes.

Ethiopia is one of the countries that has been contributing soldiers to the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

"Our position on ENDF's role in the post-ATMIS mission is unequivocal. As long as Ethiopia persists in violating our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, we cannot and will not consider it an ally in advancing peace and security in the region," Hussein Sheikh stated on his X platform.

Although relations have seen periods of improvement over the past years, recent developments have reignited tensions.

Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a port deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The move was perceived by Mogadishu as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. Subsequently, in April, Somalia expelled the Ethiopian ambassador and ordered the closure of two Ethiopian consulates, accusing Ethiopia of meddling in its internal affairs.

As the ATMIS mission draws to a close, Somalia is actively negotiating with international partners to deploy multinational forces in the country for one year starting January 2025.

Hussein confirmed that new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi will arrive in Somalia after the AU mission exits.

"Ethiopian troops will not be part of the AU-led forces operating in the country once the ATMIS mission ends," he said.