Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed on the deployment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This agreement follows a delegation visit and emphasizes bilateral cooperation and regional security amidst earlier tensions over Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland. The two countries will also develop a Status of Force Agreement for Ethiopian forces in Somalia.
Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement regarding the deployment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) within the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This resolution was announced in a joint communiqué following a delegation led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the ENDF, on February 22. The discussions emphasize regional security and the importance of sustaining peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
The Ethiopian delegation included prominent officials such as Redwan Hussein, head of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service, which underlines the strategic significance of this diplomatic visit. Somali officials, including Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage, expressed a commitment to fostering strong bilateral cooperation. The agreement comes amid previous tensions over Ethiopia’s recent memorandum of understanding with Somaliland.
These tensions escalated when Somalia condemned Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland as a violation of its territorial sovereignty. In response, Somalia conveyed that Ethiopia would not participate in AU-led forces, while strengthening military relationships with Egypt, culminating in the deployment of Egyptian troops. However, diplomatic relations have improved since the Ankara Declaration, which was brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In January 2025, Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed led a high-level visit, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to enhanced cooperation and the successful implementation of AUSSOM. The communiqué emphasized the commencement of AUSSOM and the importance of building on the past achievements of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Both countries noted the crucial role of the ENDF in African Union peace support operations and have also agreed on the force disposition of the ENDF. Additionally, they acknowledged that Somalia’s federal government will serve as the sole point of entry for Ethiopia’s engagement, underscoring respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, the two nations will develop a Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) for Ethiopian forces, which is vital to the Defense Cooperation Memorandum signed in December 2023.
In summary, the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia regarding the deployment of ENDF within AUSSOM signifies a move towards enhanced cooperation in regional security after a period of diplomatic strain. Both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and have taken steps to facilitate Ethiopian military engagement through a structured agreement.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
