Somalia to determine AUSSOM composition ahead of ATMIS exit

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Nations and the US are optimistic about the upcoming transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), noting that earlier preparations are important for the change of guard.

ATMIS is set to handover to AUSSOM in January and already, the Mission troops have started leaving the country. However, the transition comes at a time when the government of Somalia is at loggerheads with Ethiopia over alleged infringement of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Somalia has ruled out the participation of Ethiopia in the upcoming mission, insisting that plans to take over sections of the Red Sea after an agreement with secessionist Somaliland is against international law.

Hussein Moalim, Somalia's national security adviser, stated that Somalia is firm in its position on Ethiopian forces' participation in the new mission, the Voice of America reports.

"Somalia would not consider Ethiopian troops to be part of the new mission unless it withdraws from the illegal memorandum of understanding signed with [Somalia's breakaway region of] Somaliland earlier this year," Moalim said Thursday in an interview with VOA Somali.

Should the agreement go through, Ethiopia will get 20 kilometers of access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move opposed by Somalia. Somalia has already proposed Egypt as the mission leader in January 2025, ruling out the participation of Ethiopia.

Despite two rounds of mediated talks by Turkey yielding no results, Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Omar Balcad insists that effective dialogue hinges on addressing issues of Somalia's sovereignty infringement and restoring trust.

"First we need to solve the issue of our sovereignty infringement and second to restore the trust and the diplomatic relations between us, and then there comes the negotiation on Ethiopia's desire to access our sea and ports," said Balcad in an interview with VOA Somali.

The United Nations Security Council has urged for diplomatic solutions to the predicament, despite Somalia insisting that for talks to go through, Ethiopia must withdraw the agreement first. James Swan, acting special representative of the secretary-general, urged both nations to seek a diplomatic solution within the framework of international law.

Robert Wood, the US ambassador, said there is a need for both parties to solve the matter diplomatically without raising tensions in the region. Somalia has also engaged Egypt in a military pact, further worsening the situation in the region.

"Colleagues, we are deeply concerned about rising tension between Ethiopia and Somalia and the negative impact it is having on shared security interests," Wood said.

Somalia's Moalim reiterated the commitment of international partners to support Somalia's security, stability, and sovereignty, VOA reports.

"The partners reaffirmed their unwavering support for the federal government of Somalia in its efforts to attain stability and security across the nation," he said.

GAROWE ONLINE