ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (KAAB TV) — The Ethiopian government has expressed deep concerns about the upcoming transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission, warning that this shift could seriously jeopardize regional stability.
In a press release issued today, Ethiopia described the situation as entering “uncharted waters” as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) prepare for the change.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the AU and the UN for dismissing the repeated warnings from Ethiopia and other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).
The statement underscored that Ethiopia is being asked to overlook actions and statements that undermine the sacrifices made by Ethiopian defense forces in the region.
“Ethiopia cannot remain passive while other actors take steps to destabilize the region,” the statement read, emphasizing that the country is closely monitoring developments that could threaten its national security.
This statement follows reports of two Egyptian military planes landing at Mogadishu airport carrying weapons and ammunition, with Egypt also planning to deploy its forces to Somalia as part of the new AU mission.
The Ethiopian government reaffirmed its dedication to peace and security in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, highlighting its efforts to build strong relationships among regional nations.
Ethiopia also pointed out its role in mediated discussions aimed at resolving issues with the Somali government, noting that some progress had been achieved.
However, the statement criticized the Somali government for allegedly working with external actors to destabilize the region rather than seeking peace.
Ethiopia urged all parties involved in authorizing the new peace support mission to address the legitimate concerns of regional countries and TCCs, warning that short-term actions could have serious long-term repercussions.
“Ethiopia cannot accept actions that jeopardize the progress made against regional and international terrorist threats,” the statement concluded.
The release ended with a reaffirmation of Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and cooperation with Somalia and the international community to safeguard regional peace and stability.