Somalia and Ethiopia have reached an agreement to explore further collaboration on the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) mission.
The agreement, which was reached on Thursday, highlights their commitment to regional stability and shared security interests.
Ethiopia’s Defense Minister, Aisha Mohammed, led a high-level delegation to Mogadishu, where they held discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other senior officials.
According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries plan to enhance exchanges of visits and discussions, with Somali officials expected to visit Addis Ababa soon.
This collaboration is significant as the African Union’s new mission, AUSSOM, is set to replace the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The mission aims to strengthen Somalia’s security framework and facilitate the transition to full Somali-led security management.
Ethiopia’s involvement in this context demonstrates its role as a key stakeholder in the region.
For months, Somalia has repeatedly stated its intentions to not allow Ethiopia contribute troops to AUSSOM, which takes over from ATMIS from January 1, 2025.
