Ethiopia Calls for Comprehensive Consultations on New Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia

Addis Abeba, Ethiopia – Ethiopia has urged the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to engage in thorough consultations with key stakeholders as plans unfold for the deployment of a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, set to replace the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

During a recent media briefing, Nebiyu Tedla, spokesperson for the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of careful deployment to avoid misunderstandings and regional tensions. He stressed that the views and concerns of current troop-contributing countries must be considered to ensure a smooth transition to the post-ATMIS mission.

The call comes as preparations are underway for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), scheduled to commence operations on January 1, 2025. According to a recent communiqué from the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), the specifics of AUSSOM’s size, scope, and duration are still under consideration.

Ethiopia, a neighboring country and key player in regional security, has highlighted its role as a troop contributor and emphasized the need for effective consultations. The PSC communiqué also revealed that Egypt will deploy troops to Somalia for the first time as part of AUSSOM, joining regional contributors such as Uganda, which has maintained a presence in the country since 2007.

Meanwhile, the transition from ATMIS is ongoing, with the recent withdrawal from the Abdalla Birolle Forward Operating Base, which was handed over to the Somali National Armed Forces. This marks the fourth such transfer in the Phase Three drawdown of ATMIS forces, as mandated by the UN Security Council resolution of 2024.

In a previous statement, Somalia had clarified that Ethiopian troops will not be part of the AU-led forces operating in Somalia once ATMIS ends in December this year.