MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopia has launched diplomatic efforts to persuade countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to commence next year, to withdraw their forces. This push follows the exclusion of Ethiopian troops, who have maintained a longstanding presence in Somalia, from the mission, Caasimada Online news website reported on Sunday.
Burundi’s announcement that it would not contribute troops to the mission, which was approved by the UN Security Council for an initial one-year deployment on Friday, has also raised concerns. The country cited the insufficient allocation of 1,000 troops, deeming it inadequate to protect its forces against potential large-scale attacks from Al-Shabaab.
In response, the Somali government has instructed its allies, Eritrea and Egypt, to prepare thousands of troops as a contingency to fill any gaps left by other countries. Should the target of 12,600 troops fail to materialize, these backup forces will be deployed to cover the shortfall.
As the situation unfolds, questions are emerging about whether Burundi’s exclusion from the mission was a strategic move to allow Ethiopia’s involvement. Initially, the Somali government had stated it would not participate in AUSSOM, but after the Ankara agreement between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa this month, Somalia revised its stance and revealed plans to integrate Ethiopian forces into the peacekeeping mission.
Analysts suggest that Mogadishu may be using AUSSOM troop allocations as leverage to pressure Ethiopia into canceling its January agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The agreement, which grants Addis Ababa leased land along the Red Sea for a naval base, was part of a broader arrangement to recognize Somaliland’s independence.
Meanwhile, many Somalis, including members of parliament, are calling for the complete expulsion of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and their exclusion from AUSSOM. This demand stems from deep-seated resentment over Ethiopia’s past actions, which many believe were designed to prevent Somalia from rebuilding and establishing a strong government following the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre’s military regime in 1991.
