Somalia has issued conditions to Ethiopia for its inclusion in the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) which is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATIMIS) in January 2025.
In reaction to last week’s Ethiopian Foreign Affairs statement that Addis will not withdraw its 3000 troops in Somalia with or without the consent of African Union, Somalia Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Mohamed Fiqi said Somalia had the last word on who will be part of the AUSSOM mission.

Members of the Danab Brigade graduating class wear blindfolds while field-stripping their weapons as part of a demonstration during the graduation ceremony at Baledogle Airfield in Somalia on Aug. 3. STAFF SGT. ENRIQUE BARCELO/U.S. AIR FORCE
“Regarding the new mission (AUSSOM), the participating countries will be determined by us. As long as Ethiopia continues with its maritime ambitions, it will not be part of this mission.” Fiqi said.
Somalia’s objections stem from Ethiopia’s ongoing involvement in the northern region of Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but is not internationally recognised.
The Somali government has expressed concern that Ethiopia’s engagement with Somaliland undermines its territorial integrity and could further destabilise the region.
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