The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, clarified in a state media-hosted X Space on Thursday evening that troop arrangements for the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) were not included in the Türkiye-brokered talks.
He emphasized that the Federal Government of Somalia will maintain ultimate authority over selecting countries contributing to AUSSOM, contingent on approval by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on December 18, 2024.
The minister also highlighted that the Ankara Declaration reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
This statement underscores Somalia’s commitment to asserting its independence in decisions related to national security and international partnerships.
He was speaking in regards to the Somalia and Ethiopia reconciliatory talks held in Ankara between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed under the facilitation of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday evening.