Addis Ababa accuses Mogadishu of “partnering with external actors” amid ATMIS transition to a new peacekeeping force in Somalia
Aug. 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Ethiopian government has warned that it “cannot stand idly by” in the face of “measures to destabilise the region”, as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) works towards a series of bilateral agreements with Mogadishu for the deployment of troops, which includes the dispatch of soldiers by Egypt.
“Ethiopia is concerned that the transition from ATMIS to a new peace support mission is fraught with dangers for the region,” the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said, adding that “the region is entering uncharted waters.”
“Repeated calls from Ethiopia and other troop-contributing countries have not been taken seriously. Ethiopia is expected to ignore the hostile statements and the continued attempt to undermine the sacrifices of the Ethiopian Defense Forces,” Addis Ababa said in a harsh statement posted on its social media account X.
He reiterated that “Ethiopia is closely monitoring developments in the region that may threaten its national security” and stressed that “it has worked tirelessly for peace and security in Somalia and the region.”
“Ethiopia has also been involved in facilitating discussions to resolve differences within the Somali government. Tangible progress has been made in these talks. Instead of continuing these efforts for peace, the Somali government is partnering with external actors seeking to destabilise the region,” he said.
In this regard, he noted that “all those responsible for preparing and authorizing a new peace support mission must take into account the legitimate concerns of countries in the region and those contributing troops” and added that “forces that try to stir up tensions to achieve futile and short-term objectives must accept the serious ramifications.”
“Ethiopia cannot tolerate actions that jeopardize the progress made against regional and international terrorist groups,” he said, referring to Al Shabaab and the Islamic State, while reiterating his “commitment to a peaceful resolution of differences” and to “working with the Somali people and the international community to prevent dangers to peace and stability in the region.”
The statement was issued after two Egyptian transport planes landed at Mogadishu airport on Tuesday amid heightened tensions. Cairo has promised to help Somalia in the event of an attack by Ethiopia, further fuelling differences between the two countries.
A recent defence pact signed between Mogadishu and Cairo provides for the deployment of 5,000 Egyptian soldiers once the transition is complete with the end of the ATMIS withdrawal and as part of the formation of a new African Union mission, known as AUSSOM, which aims to begin operations in January 2025.
This situation has increased the differences between Ethiopia and Somalia, which have skyrocketed following the memorandum of understanding signed on January 1 between Addis Ababa and the breakaway region of Somaliland to obtain access to the Red Sea in exchange for its formal recognition, something flatly rejected by Mogadishu.
Ethiopia is also embroiled in a serious diplomatic dispute with Egypt over the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, where it recently activated two more turbines to double its electricity generating capacity.
The governments of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan reached an agreement in principle on key points of contention over infrastructure in January 2020, but Addis Ababa walked away from the talks before signing it, prompting Cairo to issue numerous warnings over what it sees as an existential threat due to its reliance on the Nile’s waters.
Add Comment