Somalia colluding with external forces to destabilise the region, Ethiopia claims

ADDIS ABABA - The government of Ethiopia has yet again accused Somalia of destabilizing the Horn of Africa, claiming that the country is persistently 'colluding' with external factors to instill conflicts and endless wars within the Red Sea belt.

In a strong-worded statement, Ethiopia's spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nebiyu Tedla said the intended termination of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) tour is a major concern to Addis Ababa and other Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs).

According to him, the idea to replace ATMIS with the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) was not adequately discussed, adding that countries that have sacrificed for Somalia are yet to be involved.

"Repeated calls by Ethiopia and other Troops Contributing Countries have not been factored in. Ethiopia is being expected to ignore hostile statements and the continued attempt to undermine sacrifices of Ethiopian forces," read the statement.

The new mission, he added, is “fraught with dangers to the region.” Somalia, he said, was working closely with external actors to destabilize the region, noting that Addis Ababa will not sit idle and watch the region plunging into chaos.

"Ethiopia cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region. The country is monitoring actions that could threaten its security," the statement, which comes after Egypt deployed troops to Somalia, read.

"Ethiopia cannot tolerate these actions that endanger the gains made against regional and international terrorist groups," the spokesperson further said, adding that Ethiopia will defend itself from any form of aggression.

The statement comes as Egypt and Somalia strengthen military cooperation. Somalia wants Egypt to play a role in the upcoming mission that takes over AU operations in Jan 2025. Egypt will work closely with Djibouti.

Somalia has repeatedly accused Ethiopia of undermining its territorial integrity and sovereignty following the decision to sign a deal that guarantees it 20 kilometers of access to the Red Sea with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Terming the deal 'null and void', Somalia has persistently accused Ethiopia of disrespect. There have been deliberate efforts to mediate the two countries but the talks engineered by Turkey have failed to resolve the standoff, which emerged in January this year.

Ethiopia says it has, however, been committed to the talks, adding that its contributions to Somalia’s peace and stability should not be wished away. The country first dispatched Troops in 2007 and has since been consistent in the mission.

With Somalia now calling for the exit of Ethiopia troops, the camaraderie with Egypt has thickened the situation, which could further escalate. Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Djibouti are some of the top contributing Countries in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE