We must be consulted in formation of AUSSOM, Ethiopia insists

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has mobilized Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs) in rejecting Somalia’s 'one-way approach' on the composition of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), insisting on its participation in the entire process.

While stressing on readiness to participate in AUSSOM, the TCCs led by Ethiopia maintain that they should be involved in the formation of the new mission, arguing that their contributions in Somalia should not be overlooked..

During the meeting which brought together the Defence Ministers from TCCs, Aisha Mohammed, Ethiopia's defense minister, said her country is more than willing to continue assisting Somalia to stabilize.

The joint communiqué, seen by Addis Standard, acknowledges that “the sacrifices made by the TCCs over the last seventeen years in the fight against terrorism in Somalia and in stabilizing the country” have been instrumental in “developing and enhancing governmental institutions of the Federal Government of Somalia.”

But for the new mission to succeed, the ministers said the African Union should review the funding given that there is a budget shortfall affecting operations against Al-Shabaab militants, who still control large swathes of rural central and southern regions.

Regarding the establishment of AUSSOM, the defense ministers emphasized that “the lessons learned from ATMIS are thoroughly considered in the remaining process” and highlighted “the need to consult TCCs during the mission design for AUSSOM.”

Somalia has already opposed the participation of Ethiopia in the new mission, accusing the country of violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty having signed an agreement over access to the Red Sea with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The situation escalated when Egypt sent military personnel and arms shipments to Mogadishu, prompting Ethiopia to express concern over the transition from ATMIS, describing it as “fraught with dangers” for the region.

More recently, Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea held a tripartite summit in Asmara, where they agreed on measures to enhance Somalia’s “capacity to protect its land and sea borders.

GAROWE ONLINE