Ethiopia’s Army Chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula visited Somalia to strengthen ties and discuss the African Union mission. The discussions with Somali military leaders highlighted Ethiopia’s support for Somalia’s security and counter-terrorism efforts. This meeting follows recent high-level talks between national leaders and emphasizes commitment to regional stability amid ongoing challenges.
On a recent visit to Mogadishu, Somalia, Ethiopia’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, led a delegation to discuss the African Union mission and enhance bilateral cooperation. This visit comes after earlier discussions between leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia in Addis Ababa. The delegation included Redwan Hussien, the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, highlighting Ethiopia’s ongoing support for Somalia.
The Ethiopian delegation met with Somalia’s military chief, General Odawa Yusuf Rage, and the director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Abdullahi Mohammed Ali. The talks focused on Ethiopia’s substantial contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), now transitioned to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Ethiopian troops are acknowledged as essential to this mission, which aims to foster security in the region.
Both nations expressed optimism about enhancing their ties, with Somali officials lauding Ethiopia’s commitment to regional stability. The visit builds on discussions between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed, reflecting a strengthened push for collaboration between the two countries.
Ethiopia’s foreign policy emphasizes fostering peaceful relations with neighboring nations, which was reiterated during the meetings. The leaders referred to the Ankara Agreement as a milestone in promoting peace and progress throughout the region. Somali security officials affirmed the integral role of international peacekeeping efforts in establishing a foundation for future stability.
A notable development arose last year when Somalia decided to exclude Ethiopian troops from participating in the upcoming African Union peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM. This decision followed a memorandum of understanding reached by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northern Somalia.
In conclusion, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula’s visit to Somalia affirms Ethiopia’s unwavering support for the nation amidst ongoing security challenges. The discussions highlighted both countries’ commitment to combatting extremism and future cooperation. While facing recent diplomatic shifts regarding troop presence, the commitment to regional stability and peace remains paramount. The ongoing collaboration is essential for the Horn of Africa’s security landscape, emphasizing the importance of their diplomatic engagements and the role of international peacekeeping forces.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
