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African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia

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African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia
Hawlgalka Taageerada iyo Xasilinta Midowga Afrika ee Soomaaliya
Dates of operation1 January 2025-present
Allies Somalia
Opponents Al-Shabaab
Battles and warsSomali Civil War
Preceded by
ATMIS

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will serve as the African Union's new peacekeeping and stabilization operation in Somalia.[1] Succeeding the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), The mission is expected to start in 2025, that may include troops from the East African nations of Egypt, Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya.

Overview

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In early 2007, the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) was deployed following an Ethiopian invasion aimed at toppling a nascent Islamic government and installing the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The goal of the AU operation was to aid the Ethiopians in propping up TFG and while offering Ethiopian troops an exit strategy as their presence was inflaming a growing insurgency, which the militant group Al-Shabaab was becoming a major part of.[2] 15 years after its deployment AMISOM shifted to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with the goal of handing over complete security responsibility over to Somali government forces.

The African Union's Peace and Security Council approved the creation of AUSSOM on 1st August, 2024,[3][4] with plans to start the mission in 2025,[5] after ATMIS’ withdrawal on 31 December, 2024.[6][7] Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has actively sought to rally support from former ATMIS contributors, encouraging them to participate in AUSSOM.[8]

Financial constraints and rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia following Ethiopia's Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland will possibly delay the transition. The international community has been divided on financial support for the missions new structure.[9]

Responses

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 Egypt has offered to send 10,000 troops to Somalia,[10] 5,000 for AUSSOM and another 5,000 that will work independently in Somalia's Hiiraan region bordering Ethiopia.[11][12] In response to Ethiopia's attempts to establish a naval base and recognize Somaliland, Somalia has increasingly turned to Egypt. In August 2024, the Somali government announced that in January 2025, the Egyptian military would replace the Ethiopian troops deployed under ATMIS.[13] Egyptian officials stated that they would send weapons including armored vehicles, artillery, radars, and drones to Somalia as part of the defense deal.[14]

 Ethiopia expressed interest in joining the new mission despite Somalia's initial rejection due to Ethiopia's Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland.[15][16] Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Ethiopia, citing increased Al-Shabaab activity linked to its presence.[17][18] On 11 December 2024, with Turkey's mediation, Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement to ease tensions.[19] During a press conference Somali President Hassan Sheikh praised Ethiopian contributions to AU operations in Somalia and stated "we will keep continue on that".[20] Senior Somali government officials stated to journalists that the government was “ready to reconsider” Ethiopian involvement in AUSSOM following the Ankara dialogue.[21][22] However, days later, Somalia accused Ethiopian troops of attacks on Somali army, police and intelligence bases which resulted in fatalities. This has left Ethiopia's participation in the mission uncertain.[23] At a UN Security Council meeting on 27 December, the Somali government effectively barred Ethiopian participation by stating that its existing security agreements were sufficient,[24] but the governments National Security Advisor later suggested a decision had still not been reached. Some observers believe Somalia is using AUSSOM as a bargaining chip until Ethiopia explicitly cancels the MoU with Somaliland.[25]

 Djibouti has also offered to send peacekeeping troops to AUSSOM,[26]This was welcomed by Somalia.[27]

 Uganda’s foreign minister Henry Oryem Okello has opposed Egypt’s troop deployment, saying that they might dominate AUSSOM.[28]After that, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud went to Uganda to speak with Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to persuade Uganda into supporting Egypt’s help in the mission.[29]

 Kenya’s president William Ruto met with Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss AUSSOM, that ended with Kenya endorsing the new mission.[30][31]

 Burundi, another former ATMIS contributor, has also seen a visit from the Somali president, that ended with the country’s president Évariste Ndayishimiye welcoming the mission.[32] Burundi later confirmed it would not be taking part in the operation due to a “lack of consensus” between Burundi and Somalia on the number of troops it can deploy for AUSSOM.[33]

 The United Kingdom summited a draft resolution to the United Nations, welcoming the AU’s decision to create AUSSOM.[34] After that, British UN Representative James Kariuki welcomed the creation of AUSSOM at the UN Security Council.[35]

 France at the United Nations also welcomed AUSSOM’s creation.[36]

References

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  1. ^ "AU Launches New Somalia Mission Amid Rising Rivalry and Funding Challenges". hornobserver.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  2. ^ Cocodia, Jude (2021-04-03). "Rejecting African Solutions to African Problems: The African Union and the Islamic Courts Union in Somalia". African Security. 14 (2): 110–131. doi:10.1080/19392206.2021.1922026. ISSN 1939-2206.
  3. ^ "AU Launches New Somalia Mission Amid Rising Rivalry and Funding Challenges". hornobserver.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  4. ^ "African Union to Launch New Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  5. ^ "New AU-Led Mission, AUSSOM, to Replace ATMIS in Somalia Starting January 2025 - Mustaqbal Media". Mustaqbal Media - (English). 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  6. ^ Sheikh, Abdi (2024-06-20). "Exclusive: Somalia asks peacekeepers to slow withdrawal, fears Islamist resurgence". Reuters.
  7. ^ NAMWANJE, SALMAH (2024-10-07). "AUSSOM to replace ATMIS in Somalia as AU Peacekeeping Mission Transitions into 2025".
  8. ^ The, News Desk (2024-10-24). "HSM's Regional Push For AUSSOM Faces Opposition | Saxafi Media". Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  9. ^ "ATMIS transition in Somalia could stall due to funding shortages, rising Ethiopia tensions". Hiiraan Online. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  10. ^ "Egypt Deploys Military to Somalia in Strategic Move Amid Horn of Africa Tensions". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  11. ^ "Ethiopia rattled as Egypt delivers military aid to Somalia". The EastAfrican. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  12. ^ ABC News, A. B. C. "Somalia says it welcomes Egypt's offer to deploy peacekeepers there". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  13. ^ York, Geoffrey (2024-09-03). "Sabre-rattling by Egypt and Ethiopia sparks fears of new war in Horn of Africa". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  14. ^ "New war looms over Nile water". The Independent (Uganda). 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  15. ^ "Ethiopia to Keep Troops in Somalia for AU Mission Despite Sea Access Dispute". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  16. ^ "We must be consulted in formation of AUSSOM, Ethiopia insists". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  17. ^ "Somalia blames Ethiopia for resurgence of Al-Shabaab amid strained relations". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  18. ^ "Somalia's Stance on Sovereignty and Ethiopia's Role in the African Union Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) – MFA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation". Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  19. ^ "Ethiopia and Somalia reach deal in Turkey to end Somaliland port feud". BBC News. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  20. ^ "Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hold joint press conference after talks in Ankara". TRT World. 11 December 2024. pp. 6:35-6:52.
  21. ^ "Somalia 'open' to Ethiopian troop role". Voice of America. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  22. ^ "Ethiopia/Somalia: Thanks to Turkish mediation, AUSSOM might include Ethiopian troops after all". Africa Intelligence. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  23. ^ "Somalia, Ethiopia forces in deadly clash days after deal". Hiiraan Online. Agence France-Presse. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  24. ^ "Somalia Rejects Ethiopia's Participation in AU Mission Amid Egypt's Growing Influence". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  25. ^ Ali, Faisal (2024-12-28). "UN authorises new mission against al-Shabaab in Somalia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-28. Somalia's national security adviser, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, suggested a decision had not yet been reached on whether Ethiopian troops would be permitted to remain
  26. ^ "Somali, Djibouti Leaders Pledge Stronger Cooperation Ahead of ATMIS-AUSSOM Transition - Best news channels in Mogadishu | Best news channels in Somalia | News channels in Mogadishu". Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  27. ^ "African Union to Launch New Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  28. ^ "Uganda Opposes Egypt's Troop Deployment to Somalia". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  29. ^ Somali Guardian News, Somaliguardian (2024-10-19). "Somalia's president visits Uganda as ATMIS exit draws near | Somali Guardian". Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  30. ^ PURITY, WANGECHI (2024-10-23). "Kenya, Somalia Endorse New AUSSOM Mission Set to Begin in 2025". Capital News. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  31. ^ "Kenya, Somalia endorse new AU Stabilisation Mission". The Star. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  32. ^ PCN (2024-10-21). "Bujumbura: Somali President touring troop-contributing countries a few months before the establishment of AUSSOM". SOS Médias Burundi. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  33. ^ Ali, Faisal (2024-12-28). "UN authorises new mission against al-Shabaab in Somalia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  34. ^ https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/242/91/pdf/n2424291.pdf
  35. ^ "This resolution robustly reinforces the Council's support to Somalia: UK Statement at the UN Security Council". GOV.UK. 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  36. ^ Fifth Republic, France (2024-12-27). "France welcomes the creation of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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