Somalia is revisiting its decision to exclude Ethiopian troops from a multinational force combating Islamist insurgents, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape between the two nations. Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday for talks about Ethiopia’s potential participation in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), which is responsible for fighting al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.
Ethiopia has been a key contributor to the mission for nearly two decades, but tensions flared when Somalia opposed Ethiopia’s proposal to recognize Somaliland—a breakaway region in northern Somalia—in exchange for port access. This disagreement led Somalia to question Ethiopia’s continued involvement.
After diplomatic efforts brokered by Turkiye in Ankara, the two nations have reached a resolution, paving the way for Ethiopia’s reintegration into the mission. Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Balcad, stated that Somalia is now open to including Ethiopian forces in the upcoming AUSSOM mission.
According to a report by Bloomberg on January 2, 2025, diplomats had warned that Ethiopia’s exclusion from the mission could exacerbate tensions between the neighboring countries, as Ethiopia has faced increasing threats from al-Shabaab militants.
The potential exclusion of Ethiopia from the mission had raised concerns about a possible escalation in tensions, as Ethiopia continues to be a target of al-Shabaab attacks and has a longstanding commitment to the mission. The United Nations Security Council renewed the mandate of the mission on December 27, though it still faces challenges in securing sustainable funding for the peacekeeping operations.