Ethiopia and Somalia agreed on the deployment of ENDF within the AUSSOM mission, reaffirming mutual concerns over regional security. The agreement follows a state visit by Ethiopian officials and addresses previous diplomatic tensions after Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland. Both nations emphasized the importance of Somalia’s sovereignty and the ENDF’s role in peacekeeping efforts, highlighting a new commitment to collaborative stability in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement on the deployment of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) within the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This conclusion followed a visit by an Ethiopian delegation led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of Ethiopia’s National Defense Force, on February 22. The discussions emphasized the critical need for peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa, as highlighted in a joint communiqué following the meetings in Mogadishu.
The Ethiopian delegation, which included officials such as Redwan Hussein from the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), received a warm welcome from Somali leaders, including Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage and Abdullahi Mohamed Ali. These officials emphasized the strong bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia, marking a positive development in diplomatic relations following previous tensions.
Diplomatic strains had emerged after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland in early 2024, which Somalia viewed as an infringement on its territorial sovereignty. Subsequently, Somalia solidified its military ties with Egypt, facilitating the introduction of Egyptian troops and military supplies. However, recent diplomatic engagements have helped ease these tensions.
The Ankara Declaration, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, played a crucial role in this diplomatic thaw, engaging both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In January 2025, the Ethiopian Defense Minister led a high-level mission reiterating both nations’ commitment to fostering cooperation and ensuring AUSSOM’s success, as affirmed by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ethiopia and Somalia’s communiqué acknowledged the establishment of AUSSOM and recognized the necessity of building on the achievements of the former African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The discussions underscored the ENDF’s vital role in African Union peace support operations and defined its force disposition within the new mission.
Furthermore, both nations agreed that the Federal Government of Somalia will be the sole point of entry for Ethiopian engagements with Somalia, reaffirming Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Plans are also in place to develop a Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) for the Ethiopian forces, which will form a significant part of the earlier Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in December 2023.
The agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia signifies a strategic move towards enhanced regional security and cooperation. It reflects the commitment of both nations to respect each other’s sovereignty while contributing to stability in the Horn of Africa. The developments following the Ankara Declaration and AUSSOM’s establishment highlight a new chapter in bilateral relations that prioritizes diplomatic engagement and collective defense efforts.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
