Nairobi, (Idil News) โ The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) starting January 1, 2025.
The approval that was enshrined in Resolution 2767, allows for an initial 12-month deployment of up to 12,626 uniformed personnel, including 1,040 police officers. Phase one of AUSSOM will run until June 30, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia amid its long-standing battle against the insurgent militia of Al-Shabaab.
The authorization follows negotiations about the new force, which have been complicated due to concerns from major funding countries like the United States and the European Union about long-term financing and sustainability. The U.S. abstained from the vote because of these funding concerns, while the remaining 14 council members voted in favor of the resolution.
However, Somaliaโs decision to exclude Ethiopia from its post-ATMIS security framework has added a new layer of tension to the Horn of Africa’s volatile geopolitics.
Somalia’s Proposed Security Structureย
Mogadishu has outlined a new arrangement under AUSSOM that reshuffles troop deployments across various regions:
- Exclusion of Ethiopia: The Somali government has officially opted to exclude Ethiopia, citing concerns over historical disputes and its geopolitical implications.ย
- Uganda: Kampala is set to take over all sectors previously manned by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and plans to deploy more than 7,175 troops under a bilateral agreement with Somalia.ย
- Kenya: Kenyan forces will remain in Sector 2, covering Jubaland, with 1,400 personnel.ย
- Djibouti: Djiboutiโs forces will continue in their current sector with a deployment of 1,800 troops.ย
- Burundi: Bujumbura has raised concerns about Somaliaโs proposal to limit its troop presence to 1,041 personnel. Burundian officials argue that such a reduction would compromise their forcesโ safety and have demanded the right to deploy no fewer than 2,000 soldiers.
Rising Geopolitical Tensions
Somaliaโs exclusion of Ethiopia is expected to worsen existing geopolitical disputes in the Horn of Africa. Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have been strained.
This tactic comes after tensions with Ethiopia, particularly following Ethiopia’s controversial memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland, which Somalia views as a violation of its territorial integrity.
Published by ๐ฏ๐. ๐๐๐๐๐๐.