PM Hamza in Baidoa amid differences over presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia

BAIDOA, Somalia - Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre visited Baidoa on Wednesday amid simmering tensions over the future of Ethiopian troops in the region, following deteriorating relationships involving Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.

Somalia insists Ethiopia will not be part of the new mission dubbed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), a decision opposed to authorities in Southwest state, who acknowledge the potential and support from the team.

Abdiaziz Mohamed Hassan Lafta-Gareen, the regional leader of the state, ushered in the Prime Minister and his entourage. The office of the PM said the trip is meant to foster relationships between the federal government and regional states.

"The visit of the Prime Minister is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Southwest state. Discussions will focus on accelerating the fight against the Khawarij, political issues, security, and economic development," read a statement from the Office of Prime Minister Hamse.

Somalia maintains that the Ethiopian soldiers ought to leave upon the expiry of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) tenure later in December, but Southwest State says the move will destabilize the security situation in the area.

Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali, announced in June that the federal government expects all Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia by the end of the ATMIS mandate. The announcement came amid rifts between Ethiopia and Somalia over the access to the Red Sea, with Ethiopia signing an agreement with Somaliland, albeit illegally.

Early this week, Ethiopian troops seized airports in the Gedo region of Somalia, affecting air transport in Luuq, Dolow, and Bardhere. There are also reports that Ethiopian troops are moving closer to the border regions further heightening tensions.

According to Somalia's constitution, the federal government has the final say on four key powers including foreign and national defense. Barre was accompanied by Somalia's director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbalolshe.

GAROWE ONLINE