Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis of the United Kingdom in Somalia clarified that the decision regarding Ethiopian troops’ participation in the forthcoming African Union peacekeeping mission will ultimately be made by the Somali government.
In an exclusive interview with a local media house, Amb. Nithavriankis expressed the UK’s support for diplomatic initiatives led by Kenya and Turkey to alleviate tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.
Nithavrianakis also emphasized the UK government’s goal to transition current Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) into future Troop Partner Nations (TPNs), promoting a stable and collaborative regional security framework.
Somalia has repeatedly stated that Ethiopia would not be part of the new AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The mandate of the new AU mission in Somalia starts on January 1, 2025 after AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) leaves the country on December 31, 2024.
