Ethiopian troops unwelcome to Somalia, they killed 20,000 citizens - FM

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Chances of Ethiopian troops participating in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) could be minimal, following Wednesday's outbursts by the country's Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who ruled out the suggestions.

In a press conference, Fiqi maintained Somalia shall prioritize the host country 'preferences'. In line with African Union and United Nations resolutions, the host country will have the final say in member selection.

"No country can impose membership on Somalia—Somalia will stay sovereign in this process," he said about Ethiopia, a country whose relationship with Somalia has significantly deteriorated.

According to him, Ethiopia should take the blame for the collapse of the Ankara talks, arguing that “Ethiopia insisted on having a military presence” on Somali soil. The two nations had held indirect talks, brokered by Turkey in its capital, Ankara.

On statements by Ethiopian leaders including Abiy Ahmed Ali that “many Ethiopians died for the peace of Somalia”, Fiqi acknowledged that AU forces died in the fight against al-Shabaab.

However, Fiqi, a close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accused Ethiopian troops of killing thousands during the 2007-2008 presence in Somalia. Ethiopia was one of the countries to send peacekeeping mission troops to Somalia.

“Likewise, 2007-2008 Ethiopian troops led by the Tigray regime killed more than 20,000 people here, they destroyed properties and assets in big towns like Mogadishu; 800K fled because of those troops,” he said.

He said Somalia could have filed a claim with the current government in Ethiopia [for the loss].

“A lot of ATMIS soldiers died in the fight against AS but that doesn’t mean you capture, seize your sea, take your land.” “If you want to exchange something for the blood, don’t shed any more blood,” he said.

Fiqi said AMISOM/ATMIS contributing countries have been in Somalia based on international agreement. Already, Somalia says AUSSOM will be headed by Egypt with close support from Djibouti, which is also part of ATMIS presently.

“No country has been forced to participate, every country applied for ATMIS membership,” he added.

But Ethiopia's senior spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla, who has been vocal on conflict with Somalia, maintained that the international community will have the final say on Somalia's quest for peace and stability.

“This is just a communique of the PSC final decision is yet to be made around October. Decisions is to be made not only by the AUPSC but also the UNSC,” he said. “The AUSSOM political, financial, and logistical arrangements are yet to be finalized later at the end of this year,” he said.

Asked if Ethiopia will participate in the AUSSOM mission, Tedla said would decide after “analysis” and “working with partners.”

“We are closely monitoring the situation and developments on the ground. We have security concerns in Somalia. Based on our analysis and after working with our partners in the region, inside Somalia, and beyond we shall decide our future course of actions.”

Asked if Ethiopia will participate in AUSSOM even if Somalia rejects ENDF's role in the mission, Tedla said: “Is this the stance of HSM and close few colleagues or all Somalian political elites including those in the federal member states? I will leave the answer to you.”

GAROWE ONLINE