Somalia continues to demand expulsion of Ethiopian troops as ATMIS exit looms 

Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government remains steadfast in its demand for the expulsion of Ethiopian troops from the country and their barring from the upcoming African Union peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM, which is slated to begin operations in January of next year, Caasimada Online news website reported on Monday. 

Officials from the Somali government, as reported by the news website, reiterated Mogadishu’s unwavering commitment to excluding Ethiopian troops from AUSSOM and intension to raise this demand in forthcoming discussions with international partners about the transition to the new mission. 

Somali officials previously vowed that no Ethiopian soldier will remain on the country’s soil after the expiration of their mandate with the African Union Transition Mission at the end of this year, unless Addis Ababa withdraws its contentious sea access agreement with Somaliland beforehand. 

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has recently wrapped up a week-long tour of all ATMIS troop-contributing nations, excluding Ethiopia, where he held discussions with their leaders on supporting the inclusion of Egyptian troops in the upcoming mission to succeed the departing Ethiopian forces. 

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