Ethiopia: Somalia has not served us with notice to withdraw ENDF troops

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia maintains that Somalia is yet to serve a notice on the intended withdrawal of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) from its soil, as tensions between the two countries escalate over a deal signed in January.

ENDF troops are some of the major stakeholders in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) but Somalia is calling for their exit, accusing Ethiopia of an annexation plot. Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland over the access to the Red Sea.

Nebiyu Tedla, the ministry’s spokesperson, addressed recent reports from Somalia’s National Security Adviser claiming Ethiopian troops would be withdrawn. He said Ethiopia was yet to be informed of the decision.

“There has been no official diplomatic communication from Somalia on this matter,” Tedla said. He added that discussions about the forces set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have not yet begun, and the initial phase of ATMIS is still ongoing.

There are close to 6,000 Ethiopian troops serving in Somalia and are credited for stability in parts of Jubaland and Southwest states. ATMIS mandate is set to end in December but there are discussions for extensions, which Somalia maintains Ethiopia should not be party to it.

Somalia accused Ethiopia of promoting internal sabotage by signing an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland in exchange for recognition of the region as an independent state. The Memorandum of Understanding has faced the wrath of the people.

As a result, Somalia expelled Ethiopia's ambassador besides closing down Addis Ababa's consulates in Somaliland and Puntland states. Mogadishu accused Addis Ababa of 'insubordination" while calling for 'stern actions' from members of the international community.

Hussein Sheikh Ali, Somalia’s National Security Advisor, maintained that Ethiopia's actions prevent it from being considered an ally in regional peace and security efforts. He confirmed that new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi will replace ATMIS forces after December 2024, and Ethiopian troops will not be part of the new mission.

But in a sharp twist of events, officials from Southwest and Jubaland maintained that they would not support the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia while acknowledging the impact made by the soldiers in the stabilization mission of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE