Somalia, on Friday, opposed the inclusion of Ethiopia in AUSSOM, the new peacekeeping mission. The United Nations Security Council yesterday endorsed the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
AUSSOM is set to takeover from existing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Jan 1, 2025. The new mission has been approved for an initial 12-month deployment. The approved UNSC resolution 2767 authorizes the African Union to deploy up to 12,626 uniformed personnel, inclusive of 1,040 police personnel, to AUSSOM until 30 June 2025 for phase 1 of the mission.
At the UNSC meeting, representatives of Somalia said that, to fill in the vacuum to be created by the withdrawal of Ethiopian peacekeepers from Somalia, the government of Somalia has secured the contribution of 11,000 troops from other countries through bilateral agreements.
On December 11, Ethiopia and Somalia, mediated by Turkiye, signed Ankara Declaration to solve year-long dispute. It was being said after that Declaration that Ethiopian troops won’t withdraw from Somalia and they will be be part of AUSSOM. However, on December 23, 2024, Somalia strongly condemned Ethiopian forces for a “deliberate and unprovoked attack” on Somali National Army positions in Doolow, which resulted in casualties among Somali personnel and civilians.
So far no final decision has been made about the countries which will finally contribute troops to the new peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
“Somalia is actively engaging with the AU and potential TCCs for AUSSOM. The mandate of AUSSOM allows FGS to determine TCC participation. A decision will be announced soon, aligning with our national priorities. The spirit of the Ankara Declaration remains strong and alive,” said Hussein Sheikh Ali, Somalia’s National Security Advisor.
Ethiopia wants to remain part of peacekeeping operations in Somalia. It wants to keep Somalia based Al Shabaab extremists away from its borders. The government of Somalia, by expelling Ethiopian troops, wants to curtail Ethiopia’s huge influence in Somalia’s internal political and security matters.
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