Ethiopia will never be our ally, Somalia says

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia says the Federal Republic of Ethiopia will never be its ally, noting that Addis Ababa has continuously violated its territorial integrity and sovereignty, adding that Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) will be leaving the country by the end of 2024.

Hussein Sheikh Ali, the National Security Advisor, said Ethiopia has been interfering with the political independence of the country, contrary to international laws. Ethiopia is one of the major security and development partners of Somalia before the recent fallout.

For almost two decades, ENDF has been serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), contributing about 4,000 troops. The Ethiopian troops are credited for enforcing stability in several parts of Somalia.

Hussein Sheikh Ali made the remarks a day after he disclosed that Somalia expects all Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia in seven months, unlike other AU troop-contributing countries that will play a role in the ATMIS Somalia mission.

"Our position on ENDF's role in the post-ATMIS mission is unequivocal. As long as Ethiopia persists in violating our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, we cannot and will not consider it an ally in advancing peace and security in the region," he said in a statement.

ATMIS troops have started strategically withdrawing from the country with the next lot set to leave this month. Already, 5000 soldiers left last year and this month, an additional 5,000 soldiers are expected to leave the country according to ATMIS.

By December, ATMIS expects to fully implement the Somali Transition Plan (STP). Apart from Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Djibouti contributed troops to ATMIS but a number of them are expected to continue helping the country after the mission.

Ethiopia signed a controversial agreement with Somaliland, which if implemented, would see the country getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for construction of Naval Base and port. In return, Ethiopia pledged to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.

GAROWE ONLINE