Somalia gets 11,000 troops for AUSSOM, excluding Ethiopia, amid regional tensions
By Mwangi Maina |
The Somali government clarified that the current troop allocation for AUSSOM was finalised through bilateral agreements that have been in place since November.
Somalia has informed the UN Security Council that it has secured 11,000 security personnel for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) through bilateral agreements, notably excluding Ethiopia from the force.
"The Federal Government of Somalia has undertaken a comprehensive review of its security as we transition from ATMIS to the new mission, AUSSOM," said a Somali official during the UNSC meeting that authorised the deployment of AUSSOM, the successor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
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"In that period, our original planners from three contributing countries have shown remarkable solidarity, pledging to maintain our necessary force of 11,000 troops for AUSSOM," he added.
"This commitment addresses any security vacuum created by Ethiopia while sustaining progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab in the country."
The resolution was approved by 14 of the UN Security Council's 15 member states, with the United States abstaining due to concerns over funding. It facilitates the transition from the ATMIS, whose mandate expires on December 31, to AUSSOM.
Tensions have heightened in the Horn of Africa following Ethiopia's January maritime agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland, which led Somalia to lean closer to Ethiopia's regional rival, Egypt.
This month, a Turkey-brokered agreement helped resolve the nearly yearlong dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, although Ethiopian troops will not be part of the new AU force.
The Somali government clarified that the current troop allocation for AUSSOM was finalised through bilateral agreements that have been in place since November.
However, Ethiopia has consistently sought to maintain a presence in Somalia, citing national security concerns.
"Ethiopia stands ready to continue its role in the post-ATMIS mission," said the Ethiopian envoy to the UN Tesfaye Yilma Sabo during the meeting.
He argued that countering terrorism and stabilising Somalia is a shared regional policy of interdependence aimed at ensuring collective peace and prosperity in the region.
Ethiopia also issued a direct warning to the three bilateral partners who have agreed to deploy troops in Somalia, likely including Egypt and Eritrea.
"Therefore, extra-regional actors that have no constructive role in the region and in fighting terrorism in Somalia should be advised to abandon their reckless pursuit," Tesfaye stated.
The deployment of AUSSOM, for an initial period of 12 months, is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2025.
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