Ethiopia and Somalia Reach Agreement on ENDF Deployment in AUSSOM

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to the deployment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force within the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia. This agreement results from a recent diplomatic visit and aims to enhance regional security and cooperation, following previous tensions regarding Ethiopia’s maritime agreements with Somaliland. Both countries are committed to establishing a Status of Forces Agreement to guide the ENDF’s operations and ensure respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.

On February 22, Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement regarding the deployment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This decision was announced in a joint communiqué following a visit from an Ethiopian delegation led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of Defense Force. This visit was preceded by earlier discussions between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that emphasized regional security and stability in the Horn of Africa.

The Ethiopian delegation included prominent officials such as Redwan Hussein, head of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). Somali leadership, including Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage and Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the strong bilateral cooperation between the nations. This agreement comes after a period of diplomatic tension caused by Ethiopia’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland.

Somalia condemned the MoU, which grants Ethiopia access to part of Somaliland’s coastline, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity. Somalia had previously stated that Ethiopia would not participate in AU-led forces replacing the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), while engaging in deeper military collaboration with Egypt. However, following the Ankara Declaration mediated by Turkish President Erdoğan, relations began to stabilize.

In January 2025, Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed led a high-level meeting in which both nations recommitted to enhancing cooperation and supporting AUSSOM. The communiqué indicated that both parties welcomed AUSSOM’s commencement and aimed to build on prior successes from ATMIS, recognizing the importance of ENDF’s role in ongoing peace support operations.

Furthermore, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed that the Federal Government of Somalia would be the sole channel for Ethiopia’s interactions within Somalia, underlining Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Plans were also announced to develop a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to guide Ethiopian operations in Somalia, considered vital to the earlier defense cooperation agreement established in December 2023.

The agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia regarding ENDF’s deployment within AUSSOM underscores the improving diplomatic relations and commitment to regional security. By affirming each country’s sovereignty and outlining the framework for military cooperation, both nations are positioning themselves to stabilize the region more effectively. Enhanced bilateral cooperation signifies a constructive approach to addressing security challenges in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: addisstandard.com

About Carmen Mendez

Carmen Mendez is an engaging editor and political journalist with extensive experience. After completing her degree in journalism at Yale University, she worked her way up through the ranks at various major news organizations, holding positions from staff writer to editor. Carmen is skilled at uncovering the nuances of complex political scenarios and is an advocate for transparent journalism.

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