Monday 13,Jan,2025 {HMC} Somalia is working to include Ethiopia in the troop quota for the African Union’s new mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), according to Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar Balcad.
Balcad confirmed that the Somali government had already allocated troops for the mission and identified the countries expected to contribute. However, he explained that Ethiopia’s participation remains uncertain as the government works to resolve issues related to troop distribution.
“The main hurdle preventing Ethiopia’s involvement in AUSSOM was related to the MOU agreement. That issue has been resolved. The challenge now lies in the fact that most of the troop quotas have already been assigned, and there is little left to distribute. We are actively working to find a solution,” Balcad said.
Following a recent meeting in Addis Ababa between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, both nations agreed to restore full diplomatic ties that had been damaged by the MoU with Somaliland.
Somalia has long held that Ethiopia’s involvement in any future peacekeeping mission hinges on disavowing its MoU with Somaliland. Signed in January 2024, the MoU allowed Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s strategic Red Sea port, which Somalia sees as an encroachment on its territorial integrity. Despite this, Somalia recently softened its stance, acknowledging Ethiopia’s role in the peacekeeping efforts under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
A Somali delegation is expected to travel to Ethiopia in the coming days to address the technical details of Ethiopia’s potential participation in the mission. This includes confirming troop numbers and ensuring that Ethiopia’s involvement aligns with Somalia’s national interests and sovereignty.
Balcad also announced that Ethiopia is expected to appoint its ambassador to Somalia soon, while Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia will begin their official duties.
