Somalia declares Ethiopia not an ally amid sovereignty violations

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Saturday June 1, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali government stated on Saturday that it cannot and will not consider Ethiopia an ally in advancing peace and security in the region as long as Ethiopia continues to violate Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Somalia's National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, said "As long as Ethiopia persists in violating our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, we cannot and will not consider it an ally in advancing peace and security in the region."

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Speaking during a Twitter Space event on Friday night, Hussein Sheikh Ali also confirmed that new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi will arrive in Somalia after the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) exits the country by the end of December 2024.

He emphasized that Ethiopian troops will not be part of the AU-led forces operating in the country once the ATMIS mission ends.

Somalia is currently in discussions with international partners regarding deploying multinational forces in the country for one year, commencing in January 2025. However, the name of the new mission and the exact number of troops are yet to be finalized.

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia have deteriorated significantly since January 1, when Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Somaliland administration. The agreement allows Ethiopia sea access and a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland.

The Somali government rejected the agreement and, in April, expelled the Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia, Muqtar Mohamed, and ordered the closure of the Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland.

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