Somalia: Djibouti fights off remarks over Ethiopia’s role
MOGADISHU, Somalia, August 25, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Djiboutian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Gen. Zakariye Sheikh Ibrahim has dismissed a report widely speculated in the media on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.
The top Djiboutian official fought off alleged remarks by African Union force commander Abdirahman Abdi Dhimbil who was quoted as saying that some Ethiopian forces in Somalia are serving out of the mission.
He said, the comments do not necessarily reflect on the official position of Djiboutian Defense Ministry.
Gen. Ibrahim also pointed out that Ethiopia and Djibouti have a single goal in common to restore Somalia’s stability, noting that media reports are aimed at sowing mistrust between Ethiopian and Djiboutian peacekeepers.
Dhimbil reportedly claimed that some Ethiopian troops are not serving with African Union Mission to Somalia and asked Somalia’s Federal government to define their role.
The two neighboring countries are part of over 22,000.00 strong African Union peacekeepers propping up Somali National Army (SNA) in the fight against Al Shabaab militants in central and southern Somalia.
GAROWE ONLINE