MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopian troops have begun gathering taxes from residents in Somalia’s Gedo area, Shabelle TV reported on Wednesday, months after Somali authorities accused Addis Ababa of violating its sovereignty.
Ethiopia has tens of 1000’s of troops stationed in southern Somalia. Whereas a few of them function below the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), there are 1000’s extra manning bases in Bay, Bakol, Hiran and Gedo areas.
It has not but been clear who approved the Ethiopian forces to gather taxes from the native inhabitants in Gedo area and there have been no feedback from Somali federal authorities.
Ethiopian troops have lengthy been implicated in atrocities towards civilians in Somalia and have performed roles in political wrangling between Somali leaders.
The brand new improvement comes amid standoff between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa over the latter’s transfer to lease a parcel of land alongside the Pink Sea from the break-away northern area of Somaliland.
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