MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Egypt and Djibouti have offered to contribute troops to the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This new mission, set to commence in January 2025, will succeed the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which is slated to withdraw by the end of this year.
The announcement marks a significant development in the ongoing international effort to stabilize Somalia, a country grappling with prolonged conflict and insecurity. AUSSOM will replace ATMIS, which itself took over from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2022. The transition reflects the evolving nature of the mission’s objectives and the urgent need to adapt to the shifting dynamics on the ground.
The new mission comes at a critical juncture. Somali authorities had initially aimed to assume full responsibility for the country’s security by the end of 2024. However, with the security situation remaining precarious, the transition to AUSSOM is seen as an essential step to ensure continuity and effectiveness in peacekeeping efforts.
Egypt’s commitment to deploy troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) introduces new dynamics to the already complex situation in the region. The pledge comes in the wake of the Somali government’s demand that Ethiopia be excluded from the mission unless it cancels a controversial sea access deal with Somaliland.
The Egyptian government, which has vocally opposed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and expressed its readiness to defend Somalia against any potential Ethiopian aggression, is now preparing to make its presence felt on the ground. This development could significantly heighten tensions in Somalia, transforming the country into a potential battleground for Cairo and Addis Ababa, especially given the ongoing disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The deployment of Egyptian troops is poised to escalate the regional rivalry between Egypt and Ethiopia, which has been simmering over the GERD project. Egypt’s military involvement in Somalia could further strain diplomatic relations and potentially lead to direct confrontations in the Horn of Africa. As the new mission prepares to take over from ATMIS in January 2025, the presence of Egyptian forces might not only affect the operational dynamics of AUSSOM but also serve as a strategic counterbalance in the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.
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