In a recent announcement, the Somali government reaffirmed its authority over selecting the Troop Partner Nations (TPNs) that will contribute forces to the upcoming African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This mission is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by January 2024.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that troop contributions must prioritize Somalia’s national interests and respect its sovereignty. Additionally, the Somali government criticized Ethiopia’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity and counterproductive to regional trust in peacekeeping initiatives.
According to the Somali authorities, previous Ethiopian deployments have been linked to rising extremist activity and limited progress, which necessitates a careful selection of troop contributors for AUSSOM. The Somali government emphasized that it will work closely with the African Union, United Nations, and European Union to ensure the mission aligns with the country’s security needs, with Somalia playing a leading role in partner selection.
The Somali Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre, had earlier indicated that Ethiopian forces would leave the country by the conclusion of ATMIS in December 2024. The contention arises from Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland, granting it access to the Red Sea in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland’s independence, a move Somalia views as undermining its sovereignty.