Ethiopia has pledged support for a new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia aimed at combating Al-Shabaab insurgents, following a compromise agreement to resolve previous tensions with Somalia. Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed’s visit to Somalia facilitated these discussions, leading to a commitment to stabilize the region.
On Friday, Ethiopia announced its collaboration with a newly established African Union (AU) force aimed at combating the Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia. This development follows earlier assertions from Mogadishu that Ethiopian troops would not participate, attributed to ongoing tensions stemming from a maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. However, after lengthy negotiations, both nations reached an agreement last month facilitated by Turkey to resolve these issues. Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed conducted a significant visit to Somalia on Thursday, where she met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and conveyed a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
A statement from the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry confirmed, “The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together to ensure peace and stability in Somalia and the region.” The agreement emphasizes cooperation on the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and aims to enhance bilateral relations. The United Nations Security Council approved the establishment of this new AU mission in Somalia late last year, with 14 of the 15 members supporting the resolution, the United States abstaining due to funding concerns. AUSSOM is poised to replace the UN-supported African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Prior to its withdrawal on December 31, ATMIS maintained a contingent of up to 12,000 troops specifically to counteract the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab. Somalia and Ethiopia participated in the UNSC discussions without casting votes, with Somalia’s representative taking the opportunity to highlight a bilateral agreement from November that allows for the dispatch of approximately 11,000 troops from allied nations to support AUSSOM. The resolution incorporates a potential strategy initially adopted by the UNSC a year prior, which allows for an AU force under the auspices of UN backing, with up to 75 percent of the financing sourced from the United Nations. Following deadly incidents along their shared border, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ali Mohamed Omar visited his Ethiopian counterpart Mesganu Arega last week, aiming to preserve fragile peace between the neighboring countries.
The context of this collaboration is rooted in a historical backdrop of tension between Ethiopia and Somalia, largely driven by territorial disputes and differing political alignments. The recent maritime agreement with Somaliland complicated Ethiopia’s position in regional dynamics, causing initial reluctance to deploy troops into Somalia. Nevertheless, peace efforts were advanced through diplomatic channels, specifically through Turkish mediation to ease tensions. The formation of AUSSOM aims to provide an organized platform for addressing security concerns related to Al-Shabaab, a group that has significantly destabilized Somalia and threatened regional security.
Ethiopia’s decision to engage with the new AU peacekeeping force in Somalia marks a pivotal moment for regional security collaboration. The established agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia underlines a commitment to overcoming past tensions. As the AUSSOM mission is set to launch, it reflects a comprehensive effort to stabilize Somalia and counter the persistent threats posed by terrorist factions, highlighting the importance of international support through the United Nations.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
