“Ethiopia cannot and will not be our ally,” says Hussain Sheikh. Hussain Sheikh is the National security advisor of Somalia. He spoke about Ethiopia Somalia relations a few hours ago.
In January 2024, an MoU was signed between two parties, Ethiopia and Somaliland. This MoU stated that Somaliland will let Ethiopia use its ports as Ethiopia is a landlocked country and it will let Ethiopia build a naval base in Somaliland. In return Ethiopia will give shares to Somaliland in its organizations and it will recognize Somaliland as a country. Somaliland is internationally recognized part of Somalia but it has been struggling to get recognition as a country.
Somalia got furious and warned Ethiopia to withdraw from this MoU. Somalia termed the MoU a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Two days ago, Hussain Sheikh, the national security advisor of Somalia, talked about Ethiopian troops that are deployed in Somalia to fight against a group which is declared extremist and terrorist group by Somalia. The name of this group is Al Shabab.
Al Shabab has been fighting for years to remove the government of Somalia. Several countries from Africa sent troops and USA also sent troops to Somalia. Ethiopia deployed thousands of troops under ATMIS and bilateral arrangement in Somalia. Hussain Sheikh said that Ethiopian troops will have to return to Ethiopia by the end of this year.
After that US intervened as it is part of the coalition in the fight against Al Shabaab. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of State called Hassan Sheikh Somalia’s President and discussed two things with him. He said that all countries should fight together against Al Shabab effectively. Secondly he called for continuation of UN political mission in Somalia. Somalia last month requested termination of the UN Mission in September this year.
It seems US wants Ethiopian troops to remain deployed in Somalia. It remains to be seen if Ethiopian troops will leave or stay after 2024.
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