Somalia and the African Union have agreed on troop contributions for a new mission, AUSSOM, following previous disputes over troop numbers. A total of 11,900 personnel will participate, with key contributions from Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt. Ongoing negotiations regarding Burundian troops are necessary, as their departure may have significant repercussions. Recent diplomatic breakthroughs have fostered cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia, enhancing regional stability efforts.
The federal government of Somalia and the African Union (AU) have successfully reached an agreement on troop contributions for a new AU mission, following prior disagreements between Ethiopia and Somalia, as well as between Somalia and Burundi regarding troop numbers. An anonymous AU official informed Voice of America (VOA) that Burundian forces, which have been stationed in Somalia since 2007, will be departing due to unresolved issues over their troop contribution.
The newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is expected to encompass a total of 11,900 personnel, which includes military members, police officers, and civilian support staff. The distribution of troops is as follows: Uganda will contribute 4,500 troops, Ethiopia will provide 2,500, followed by Djibouti (1,520), Kenya (1,410), and Egypt (1,091). Negotiations regarding the status of Burundian soldiers still continue, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The AU diplomat emphasized that Burundi’s departure could have significant political and financial ramifications for the AU, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Burundi and the need to address its concerns. Additionally, several hundred police personnel from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Egypt will be deployed across key locations in Somalia such as Mogadishu, Jowhar, and Baidoa.
The delay in finalizing troop contributions stemmed from diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over Ethiopia’s controversial sea access deal with Somaliland, which Somalia perceives as a violation of its sovereignty. After diplomatic efforts led to a breakthrough agreement in mid-December, Somalia and Ethiopia signed an agreement ensuring Ethiopian troop participation in the mission.
Key meetings occurred over the weekend between Ethiopian and Somali military leaders, solidifying the role of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in the AUSSOM framework. The agreement allows for the continuation of Ethiopian troop deployments within previously established regions, while Egypt stands as the only new contributor to the mission.
Furthermore, Ethiopia’s troop presence is supported by a separate bilateral agreement. Recent communications have established plans to develop a Status of Forces Agreement to clarify the operations of bilateral forces in Somalia. The initial AU troops first arrived in Somalia in March 2007 amidst the rising threat of al-Shabab, which continues to pose challenges to Somalia’s stability.
In concurrent security operations, the Somali government is actively battling al-Shabab’s incursions in central Somalia, while Puntland’s security forces are engaged in a protracted offensive against Islamic State militants, with local officials expressing confidence in capturing vital strongholds soon.
In summary, the agreement between Somalia and the AU regarding troop contributions marks a significant step forward in addressing the security situation within Somalia. The new mission will feature substantial contributions from regional partners, while unresolved issues surrounding Burundi’s role necessitate continued diplomatic discourse. The commitment to enhance operational clarity through a Status of Forces Agreement underscores the importance of collaboration for peacekeeping efforts.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
