Somalia and the African Union have finalized troop contributions for a new mission, allowing for 11,900 personnel from multiple nations. Notably, troop tensions emerged involving Burundi’s numbers, leading to its forces withdrawing. The agreement secures Ethiopian participation and aims to counter terrorism, amidst concerns regarding funding and political repercussions related to troop allocations.
The federal government of Somalia and the African Union (AU) have reached an agreement regarding the number of troop-contributing countries for a new military mission. This resolution follows a protracted period of negotiations, which initially experienced discord between Somalia and Ethiopia and subsequently between Somalia and Burundi over troop contributions from each nation.
An anonymous AU official revealed that Burundian forces, present in Somalia since 2007, will withdraw from the mission amid disagreements concerning troop numbers from Burundi. The AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is set to involve approximately 11,900 personnel, including military, police, and civilian staff.
Under the new arrangement, specific troop allocations include 4,500 soldiers from Uganda, 2,500 from Ethiopia, 1,520 from Djibouti, 1,410 from Kenya, and 1,091 from Egypt. Negotiations regarding Burundian troops are ongoing, indicating unresolved concerns that could have significant political and financial implications for the AU.
Additionally, several hundred police personnel from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Egypt will be stationed in Somali regions including Mogadishu, Jowhar, and Baidoa. The resolution of troop contributions was delayed due to diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia surrounding Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia perceived as a breach of its sovereignty.
The situation improved after discussions facilitated by Turkey in Ankara concluded on December 11, leading to an agreement that allowed Ethiopian troops to participate in AUSSOM. An Ethiopian delegation’s visit to Mogadishu, which included military chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, fostered discussions on counterterrorism and regional stability.
The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) troops will be deployed to the same regions as before—namely Gedo, Bay, Bakool, and Hiran. Egypt, a supporter of Somalia’s position, is supplying new troops to the undertaking. Besides the AU mission, Ethiopia also maintains additional troops based on a separate bilateral agreement with Somalia.
The cooperation between Ethiopian and Somali officials includes the development of a Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) for all bilateral forces in Somalia. This development builds on a long-standing partnership dating back to the first AU deployment in 2007, which numbered of Uganda’s contingent amidst the rise of the al-Shabab terrorist group.
Al-Shabab remains a notable threat to the Somali government, evidenced by recent attacks launched in central Somalia. Concurrently, Puntland’s security forces are intensifying operations against the Islamic State militants, aiming to capture their primary base in the near future.
The agreement between the federal government of Somalia and the African Union marks a significant development in stabilizing the region through the deployment of troops from various contributing nations. While the resolution allows for enhanced security measures against threats like al-Shabab and Islamic State militants, it also highlights ongoing challenges regarding troop contributions and funding, particularly concerning Burundi’s role and ongoing negotiations. Future collaboration among the contributing countries, especially Ethiopia and Somalia, will be crucial for the overall effectiveness of the AUSSOM mission.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
