Thousands of Ethiopian troops have entered border towns in Somalia. In two federal member state states of Somalia, which share border with Ethiopia, new mobilization of Ethiopian troops is being reported.
Reportedly on Friday, around 4,000 Ethiopian troops entered Mataban. Mataban in situated in Hiran zone of Hirshabelle regional state of Somalia. The Ethiopian troops met with local tribal elders and government officials. They said that they had received information about Al Al Shabaab fighters gathering in the area. After staying in Mataban for a few hours, the Ethiopian troops returned.
Last Monday, new Ethiopian military convoys entered Dolow town in Gedo zone Jubaland Federal Member State of Somalia.
Around 10,000 Ethiopian troops are already operating in Somalia. They are part of ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) and under bilateral arrangement between Ethiopian government and some federal member states of Somalia.
On Friday, African Union Peace and Security Council approved extension of ATMIS mandate in Somalia after 2024. The mandate of ATMIS troops will expire in December 2024.
Though ATMIS will stay in Somalia in 2025, Somalia does not want Ethiopian troops to continue. At the start of this year, tensions rose between Ethiopia and Somalia when Ethiopia signed a controversial MoU with Somalia. Somalia cut off diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and refused to talk to Ethiopia until Ethiopia withdraws from the MoU.
Last month, the Foreign Minister of Somalia said that all Ethiopian troops will leave Somalia. But the statement was rejected by Southwest and Jubaland states of Somalia which want Ethiopian troops to continue.
It is being speculated that in coming days, Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU, opposed by Somalia, could turn into an agreement. Movement of Ethiopian troops into Somalia seems to be a message from Ethiopia to Somalia that Ethiopia will not allow anti Ethiopian elements especially Al Shabaab to organize on Somalia-Ethiopia border.
Read more..
Somali MP, Candidate for AU Chairperson, Refuses to Withdraw