Ethiopia has raised concerns about external actors in Somalia’s stabilization efforts, urging non-regional players to avoid destabilizing actions. Meanwhile, its potential involvement in the upcoming AUSSOM mission has become a subject of debate, with Somali officials issuing conflicting statements.
During a recent UN meeting, Ethiopian envoy Tesfaye Yilma Sabo emphasized that combating terrorism and ensuring Somalia’s stability requires collective regional efforts. He criticized reckless pursuits by certain bilateral partners, reportedly including Egypt and Eritrea. “Actors with no constructive role in Somalia or the region should rethink their approach,” he said.
Somalia’s UN representative has opposed Ethiopia’s participation, but statements by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Moalim, seen by The Wall Africa Journal, suggest Ethiopia could still play a role. However, Ethiopia is not officially listed in the new mission.
Egypt will join AUSSOM with a minimal number of troops, while Uganda will lead the mission with approximately 7,000 soldiers, reportedly taking over responsibilities previously held by Ethiopia. The United States has opposed the financial costs of AUSSOM, with its UN representative abstaining from the Security Council vote, indicating the decision may be revisited.
The AUSSOM mission, replacing ATMIS, will deploy 11,000 troops starting January 1, 2025, for an initial 12-month period. Ethiopia’s exclusion from the mission has sparked speculation about whether Uganda’s expanded role might fill the gap.