Nairobi, Kenya – June 3rd, 2024 – Somalia is embroiled in a fresh dispute with Ethiopia, threatening to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country by year’s end. This comes amidst a heated disagreement over a controversial port deal between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.
Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, issued the stark warning on Monday. The move could significantly impact Somalia’s fight against the extremist group al-Shabaab, as Ethiopian troops make up a substantial portion of the African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS) in Somalia. Security experts and diplomats fear a security vacuum could be exploited by al-Shabaab if Ethiopian forces depart.
The crux of the issue lies in a recent deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. Landlocked Ethiopia agreed to lease a section of Somaliland’s coastline for a naval base and commercial port, a move seen by Somalia’s central government as a violation of its territorial integrity. Somalia views Somaliland as a breakaway region and has long opposed its attempts at independence.
“Ethiopia cannot be an ally and at the same time an aggressor,” declared Sheikh-Ali, demanding the cancellation of the port deal. Somalia has set a deadline of the end of June, coinciding with the expected renewal of the ATMIS mandate, for Ethiopia to back down.
This ultimatum throws a wrench into the planned withdrawal of ATMIS troops. The UN-mandated mission is scheduled to fully withdraw by the end of 2024, with Somalia requesting a slower drawdown due to ongoing security concerns. While a smaller peacekeeping force is expected to take over, Somalia has reportedly requested that Ethiopia be excluded from contributing troops.
