MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The United Nations Safety Council on Friday authorised the institution of the African Union Help and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which can take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in January. The mission has been approved for an preliminary 12-month deployment.
The mission is ready to consist of roughly 12,000 uniformed personnel, together with 1,000 cops. Over 7,000 peacekeepers are anticipated to come back from Uganda, with further forces contributed by Burundi, Djibouti, and Kenya. Nonetheless, reviews point out that Burundi might withdraw from the mission in protest over the allocation of its troop quota, which is proscribed to round 1,000 personnel.
In response to an announcement from the Ethiopian consultant on the UNSC, the Somali delegate confirmed that troop-contributing international locations for AUSSOM had already obtained their allocations. This led to hypothesis that Ethiopia wouldn’t obtain a troop allocation, successfully excluding it from the mission.
Regardless of these reviews, Somali Nationwide Safety Advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali clarified {that a} last resolution on participation and troop numbers has but to be made. “Somalia is actively participating with the AU and potential troop-contributing international locations (TCCs) for AUSSOM. The mandate of AUSSOM permits the FGS to find out TCC participation,” he stated in an announcement on X. “A choice will probably be introduced quickly, aligning with our nationwide priorities. The spirit of the Ankara Declaration stays robust and alive.”
Reviews additional counsel that Mogadishu has positioned situations on Ethiopia’s participation in AUSSOM, allocating Addis Ababa solely 2,000 personnel. These troops will probably be prohibited from working close to the Ethiopian border, the place Ethiopia has maintained an unnegotiated presence for practically three a long time. As an alternative, Ugandan peacekeepers are anticipated to be deployed in these border areas.
Though Ethiopia and Somalia lately reached an settlement to de-escalate a year-long interval of tensions in Ankara earlier this month, their discord stays unresolved. Simply final week, Somalia accused Ethiopian troops within the border city of Dolow of attacking Somali forces, leading to casualties and the arrest of the remaining troops. The incident reportedly occurred after Ethiopian forces sided with Jubaland authorities in an influence battle towards federal forces loyal to Mogadishu.
Egypt had beforehand introduced its intention to take part in AUSSOM, a transfer that raised issues in Ethiopia, which expressed its apprehension even on the Safety Council. Nonetheless, Somalia’s Overseas Minister reaffirmed final week that Egypt’s participation would proceed as initially acknowledged. Regardless of this, the ultimate troop allocations and the official checklist of contributing international locations stay unsure, with only some days left earlier than the mission’s deliberate launch within the new yr.
