The African Union transition mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is ending, and the Ethiopian government expressed fear that the new peace support mission will be “fraught with dangers” for the area.
“Cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region,” Ethiopia said as well. Ethiopia is keeping a close eye on regional events that can jeopardize its national security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The announcement was made the day after Egypt, as part of a larger deployment that may have involved up to 10,000 Egyptian soldiers in Somalia, dispatched military leaders and heavy equipment to Mogadishu, Somalia.
Egypt’s action comes in spite of a communique issued on August 1st, 2018 by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), which addressed the details of AUSSOM’s length, scope, and size and stated that they are still being discussed.
When the ATMIS mandate expires in December of this year, Somalia declared in May of this year that “Ethiopian troops will not be part of the AU-led forces” that will be operating in Somalia.
Ethiopia has already demanded that the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) hold thorough discussions with relevant parties as preparations go forward for the deployment of a new peacekeeping force in Somalia, which is intended to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The area is moving into unknown territory as the African Union and the United Nations get ready for this change.The Ministry emphasized that Ethiopia is “being expected to ignore hostile statements and the continued attempt to undermine the sacrifices of Ethiopian defense forces” and that its repeated requests, along with those of other troop-contributing countries (TCCs), have not been taken seriously.
Ethiopia has “worked tirelessly for the peace and security of Somalia and the region, for shared growth, and has nurtured the close bond between the peoples of the region,” the ministry further stated today.
As to the Ministry, there has been noticeable advancement in the negotiations between Ethiopia and Somalia, which are being aided by Turkey. Rather than pursuing these peace initiatives, the Somalian government is working with other forces to further destabilize the area.
The rightful concerns of the TCCs and the other nations in the region must be taken into consideration by everyone in charge of planning and approving a new peace support mission. Ethiopia issued a warning and added that “the grave ramifications must fall on those forces trying to inflame tension for their short-term and futile objectives.” These acts, which jeopardize the progress accomplished against both domestic and foreign terrorist organizations, are intolerable to Ethiopia.
In addition, the Ministry restated its commitment to “working with the people of Somalia and the international community to advert dangers to the peace and stability of the region” and to “the peaceful resolution of differences.”