The AU and Somali government have approved the deployment of 2,500 Ethiopian troops for AUSSOM, with Egypt contributing 1,100 personnel. AUSSOM, which began in January, aims to gather nearly 12,000 troops and operate until 2028, replacing the ATMIS mission. Recent airstrikes against Al-Shabaab highlight ongoing security challenges amid persistent clan rivalries and political discord in Somalia.
The African Union (AU) and the Somali government have authorized the deployment of 2,500 Ethiopian troops as part of the new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM). Egypt will additionally contribute approximately 1,100 troops. This mission, which commenced in January, anticipates nearly 12,000 military personnel overall, excluding police and other security forces.
Uganda is expected to provide the highest number of troops, totaling 4,500, while Djibouti and Kenya will contribute 1,520 and 1,410 peacekeepers, respectively. The Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC) has finalized the troop arrangements for AUSSOM, which has succeeded the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Funding challenges pose significant constraints to the mission, as evidenced by a UN report indicating that fewer than 13,000 of the originally planned 20,000 ATMIS troops remain in Somalia.
AUSSOM is projected to operate until the end of 2028. Notably, this mission marks the first involvement of Egyptian military personnel, as previous deployments primarily consisted of troops from Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda. Cairo’s engagement reflects strengthened relations with Mogadishu, particularly due to ongoing tensions with Ethiopia regarding a contentious maritime access agreement with Somaliland.
In addition to the troops under AUSSOM, several hundred police personnel from Egypt, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone are also scheduled for deployment in key areas such as Mogadishu, Jowhar, and Baidoa. Joint military operations between AUSSOM and the Somali national army have reportedly commenced, following a series of escalated attacks from Al-Shabaab, including a recent assault on the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab positions have been launched by Ethiopian air forces in coordination with the Somali government. The recent escalation of U.S. airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants, which has increased significantly since the start of the Trump administration, further supports operations led by Puntland state forces against IS-Somalia strongholds. The UN report highlights that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a considerable threat due to clan rivalries and political fragmentation, which have been exploited to enhance their control in the region.
In conclusion, the deployment of Ethiopian and Egyptian troops under the AUSSOM mission signifies a crucial response to the ongoing security challenges in Somalia. This mission replaces ATMIS and aims to stabilize the region despite existing funding limitations. The joint military efforts against Al-Shabaab and the involvement of various nations reflect a collaborative approach to enhance security and counter terrorism in a volatile environment.
Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com
