Federal governmnet to reverse decision on Ethiopian troop withdrawal from new AU mission

Somali federal government is set to reverse its earlier decision to exclude Ethiopian troops from the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), according to diplomatic sources. 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently commended Ethiopian forces for their contributions to Somalia's stability during a ceremony marking the resolution of a year-long diplomatic dispute between the two nations. The dispute stemmed from Ethiopia's controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Somaliland in January, which proposed leasing coastal land for a naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland's independence—a move Somalia condemned as infringing on its sovereignty.  

The December 11 agreement, facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirmed both nations' commitments to respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.  

The African Union Peace and Security Council had previously approved AUSSOM, slated to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) starting January 2025. 

In a significant development, Egypt plans to deploy approximately 10,000 troops to Somalia to replace Ethiopian forces. This shift is seen as part of a broader restructuring of Somalia's security partnerships, aligning with the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM.