Somalia wants Ethiopia included in new African Union mission despite troop quota challenges
AUSSOM replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), marking a critical phase in transferring national security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Somalia is working to include Ethiopia in the troop quota for the African Union's new mission in Somalia, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar Balcad has announced.
While some progress has been made, he acknowledged ongoing challenges in securing Ethiopia's participation due to already allocated troop quotas.
More To Read
- 23 Somali nationals killed after two boats capsized off Italian coast
- US offers Sh1.3 billion reward for information on ISIS-Somalia financial networks
- Diphtheria cases surge in Somalia amid sharp US aid cuts
- Ex-Somali Presidents condemn President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration over deadly land evictions
- Nearly 50,000 people at risk, over 9,000 livestock perish as drought worsens in Tigray
- African Union pushes UN to adopt new map showing Africa’s actual scale
"The main hurdle preventing Ethiopia's involvement in AUSSOM was related to the MoU agreement. That issue has been resolved," Balcad stated.
"The challenge now lies in the fact that most of the troop quotas have already been assigned, and there is little left to distribute. We are actively working to find a solution."
This development follows a meeting in Addis Ababa between Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed where both leaders agreed to fully restore diplomatic ties.
Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU
Relations had soured earlier due to Ethiopia's 2024 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland which sought to grant Ethiopia access to the sea in exchange for recognising Somaliland's sovereignty — an agreement Somalia firmly opposes.
A Somali delegation is scheduled to visit Ethiopia to finalise technical details, including troop numbers and ensure Ethiopia's involvement aligns with Somalia's national interests.
Balcad also confirmed that Ethiopia is expected to appoint an ambassador to Somalia, while Somalia's ambassador to Ethiopia will soon officially assume duties, signalling renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
The African Union's new peacekeeping mission in Somalia officially commenced operations on January 1, 2025, pledging to support the country's stabilisation efforts and post-conflict recovery.
AUSSOM replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), marking a critical phase in transferring national security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Other Topics To Read
- Somalia
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Abiy Ahmed
- President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
- Somaliland
- African Union
- ethiopia somaliland maritime deal
- AUSSOM
- African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia
- Ethiopia's Prime Minister
- Somalia wants Ethiopia included in new African Union mission despite troop quota challenges
- Headlines
Top Stories Today
- Four more bodies exhumed in Kwa Binzaro, pathologist says graves scattered, victims buried naked
- Ruto, Raila and leaders unite in praise for Harambee Stars despite 'heartbreaking' loss
- Rwanda rejects Human Rights Watch allegations of backing M23 killings in DRC
- Cofek challenges appointment of CA Board chair Charles Kamau
- KUCCPS extends TVET application deadline for September 2025 intake
- Court declines to hear nomination of Harold Kipchumba as Mbadi's replacement
