Ethiopia, Somalia agree on deployment of Ethiopian troops in new African Union mission

Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement on the deployment of Ethiopian forces as part of the newly established African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The deal, outlined in a joint communiqué released on 22 February, follows a visit by Ethiopian officials, including Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, chief of staff of Ethiopia’s National Defense Force (ENDF), to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The Ethiopian delegation discussed the strategic importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, with a focus on regional security and countering terrorism, particularly the militant group Al-Shabaab. The agreement underscores the role of Ethiopia’s military in supporting AU peace operations and sets the stage for the drafting of a “Status of Force Agreement” (SOFA) to govern Ethiopian forces in Somalia.
This collaboration follows a period of strained relations between the two countries due to Ethiopia’s controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland earlier in 2024, which sparked tensions with Somalia. However, the diplomatic climate has improved since the signing of the Ankara Declaration, mediated by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As a result, both nations have now prioritized cooperation, focusing on the success of AUSSOM and jointly fighting terrorism. The agreement is seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing regional security, marking a positive development in the ongoing efforts to stabilize Somalia and combat the threat of Al-Shabaab in the region.