The AU and Somalia approved the deployment of 2,500 Ethiopian troops under AUSSOM, with Egypt contributing around 1,100 additional troops. AUSSOM, which began in January 2024, aims for stabilization in Somalia amidst rising Al-Shabaab violence. The mission faces funding hurdles but indicates growing cooperation between Egypt and Somalia amidst regional tensions.
The African Union (AU) and the Somali government have approved the deployment of 2,500 Ethiopian troops as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This decision was influenced by a United Nations Security Council report indicating that Egypt will contribute approximately 1,100 troops as well, bringing the total personnel for AUSSOM, which began in January, to nearly 12,000. Uganda is set to provide the largest contingent at 4,500 troops, followed by Djibouti and Kenya, contributing 1,520 and 1,410 peacekeepers respectively.
The final troop composition for AUSSOM has been confirmed by the Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC). AUSSOM replaces the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is expected to continue until the end of 2028, despite facing significant funding challenges. A report from August 2024 noted that only around 13,000 of the original 20,000 troops in ATMIS remained stationed in Somalia.
Cairo’s involvement marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Egyptian military personnel will participate alongside other nations’ forces, which previously included Ethiopian, Kenyan, Burundian, Djiboutian, and Ugandan troops. This development signifies a strengthening of relations between Egypt and Somalia, which have escalated due to a protracted dispute with Ethiopia over maritime rights concerning Somaliland.
In addition to the military personnel, several hundred police officers from Egypt, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone are scheduled to be deployed in major Somali cities such as Mogadishu, Jowhar, and Baidoa, according to UN reports. Joint military operations between AUSSOM and the Somali national army have reportedly commenced, in response to a recent increase in attacks by Al-Shabaab.
Recent actions against Al-Shabaab include strikes on militia positions conducted by the Ethiopian Air Force, in concert with the Somali government, as well as heightened air raids by United States forces. The situation remains grave, with instability caused by ongoing clan disputes and political discord, complicating efforts to counteract Al-Shabaab. Analysts described these social fractures as having weakened governmental defenses, allowing the militant group to advance its influence in the region.
In conclusion, the deployment of Ethiopian troops under AUSSOM, alongside contributions from Egypt and other nations, marks a pivotal shift in international military support for Somalia. This peacekeeping mission aims to stabilize the nation amid escalating violence from Al-Shabaab and regional instability. Despite financial constraints, AUSSOM’s establishment signifies collaborative efforts by African nations and underscores the necessity of addressing internal divisions that fuel unrest.
Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com
