UN Backs New Somalia Peacekeeping Mission, but Troop Participation Uncertain
Teh United Nations Security Council has authorized a new African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, aiming to bolster the country’s fight against the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group al-Shabaab. However,the future participation of key troop-contributing nations,notably Ethiopia,remains uncertain,casting a shadow over the mission’s effectiveness.
The resolution, adopted on Friday, allows for the deployment of up to 12,626 personnel under the banner of the African union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This new mission replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS),whose mandate expires at the end of the year. AUSSOM represents a leaner, more streamlined approach compared to it’s predecessors, including the long-running African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was one of the largest and deadliest peacekeeping operations in history.
Al-Shabaab, responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Somalia and neighboring Kenya, continues to pose a notable threat. A devastating August attack on a Mogadishu beach left nearly 40 dead and over 200 injured, highlighting the ongoing urgency of the situation. “Almost 40 people were killed and more than 200 were wounded,” according to reports from the time.
The deployment faces immediate challenges. Burundi, a significant troop contributor, has announced it will not participate in AUSSOM due to a “lack of consensus” with Somalia regarding troop numbers. This declaration raises concerns about the mission’s ability to meet its mandated strength.
Despite thes challenges, the UK’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, James Kariuki, expressed optimism. He stated that the resolution “robustly reinforces” support for Somalia and “authorizes Aussom to support somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab, strengthen Somalia’s stabilisation efforts, and enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
France also lauded the resolution, calling it a crucial step forward in the fight against al-shabaab.Though, the participation of Ethiopia, a major troop contributor in previous missions and a frequent target of al-Shabaab attacks, remains unclear. A year-long dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a maritime access deal with Somaliland complicates matters further.
Somalia vehemently opposes the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, viewing it as an attempt to annex Somali territory. This ongoing tension adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging peacekeeping operation.
The success of AUSSOM hinges on resolving these outstanding issues and ensuring the full participation of key troop-contributing nations. The future of peace and stability in Somalia remains inextricably linked to the effectiveness of this new mission.
Somalia Reconsiders Ethiopia’s Role in Al-Shabaab Fight
Tensions are rising between somalia and Ethiopia as Mogadishu weighs the future of Ethiopian troops in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the ongoing peacekeeping operation against the al-shabaab militant group.The situation is further complicated by recent border clashes and allegations of territorial encroachment, raising concerns about regional stability and potential implications for U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Reports surfaced earlier this year suggesting a potential land swap, granting Ethiopia access to a portion of Somaliland’s coastline for naval use. While this has not been officially confirmed, the possibility has fueled existing anxieties. The simmering conflict has been marked by accusations and denials, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Somalia initially hinted at removing Ethiopia from the ATMIS mission over the summer, proposing a replacement with troops from other nations, including Egypt. This move followed existing disputes between Ethiopia and Egypt concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River.However, a subsequent agreement, brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and known as the Ankara Declaration, appeared to temporarily resolve the issue, with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stating that Ethiopian troops could remain.
“This commitment addresses any security vacuum created by Ethiopia while sustaining progress in the fight against al-Shabaab,”
said Mohamed rabi Yusuf, Somalia’s representative to the United nations, referring to commitments from other countries to contribute troops to Somalia. Despite this statement, uncertainty remains.
adding to the uncertainty,the Ethiopian delegate to the UN Security Council stated that their country was “ready to continue its role in the post-Atmis mission,” while accusing unnamed “extra-regional actors” – a likely reference to Egypt – of reckless actions. This conflicting messaging underscores the delicate nature of the ongoing negotiations.
Further complicating matters, somalia’s National Security advisor, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, recently posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a final decision on Ethiopian troop presence had not yet been made, yet maintained that “The spirit of the Ankara declaration remains strong and alive.” This ambiguous statement leaves the future of Ethiopian involvement in ATMIS unclear.
Adding fuel to the fire,the Somali government accused Ethiopian troops of attacking Somali forces in Jubaland state earlier this week,resulting in casualties. Ethiopia denied these allegations, attributing the incident to unnamed “third-party” actors. This conflicting account further exacerbates the already tense situation.
“No nation can trust another where their sovereignty was threatened by them,”
stated Ayub Ismail Yusuf, a Somali Member of Parliament and member of the foreign affairs committee, emphasizing the need to remove Ethiopian troops from the peacekeeping force. His statement reflects a growing sentiment within Somalia.
The evolving situation between Somalia and Ethiopia has significant implications for regional stability and the ongoing fight against al-Shabaab.The United States, a key player in counterterrorism efforts in the region, is closely monitoring the developments and their potential impact on its strategic interests.
