Somalia, AU agree on troops to be included in new AU force

Somalia, AU agree on troops to be included in new AU force

The central government of Somalia and the African Union have agreed on the number of soldiers from different countries that will serve in the new African Union force, after weeks of tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia and between Somalia and Burundi. Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia are historically complex and often fraught with tension. These tensions have their roots in territorial disputes, ethnic conflicts, regional politics and the interference of external actors.  There is the Ogaden War (1977-1978). One of the high points of tension was this war, in which Somalia attempted to conquer the Ogaden region (an area in Ethiopia inhabited by predominantly ethnic Somalis). Ethiopia, supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba, was able to repel the Somali attack. It is safe to assume that the Somalis would never have started this war without US support. The war left a deep distrust between the two countries. The border between Somalia and Ethiopia remains disputed, especially in areas inhabited by ethnic Somalis. Somalia does not officially recognize the current border. Ethiopia has traditionally interfered in Somalia's internal affairs, especially during the Somali Civil War (since 1991). Ethiopia supported various Somali factions to protect its own security interests. Ethiopia is one of the largest troop contributors to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and plays a key role in the fight against the Islamist militia al-Shabaab. Despite this cooperation, there is widespread reservation in Somalia about the presence of Ethiopian troops, which is often perceived as interference in Somalia's internal affairs. Ethiopia maintains close relations with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed independent region of Somalia. This has led to tensions with the Somali central government, which continues to view Somaliland as part of Somalia. The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile has exacerbated regional tensions. Although Somalia is not directly affected, the Somali government has raised concerns about the impact on regional stability and water resources. The fragile political situation in Somalia, including ongoing conflicts between the central government and federal states, has further complicated relations with Ethiopia.  The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region and the resulting instability have affected Ethiopia's ability to focus on regional affairs. This has changed the dynamic between Somalia and Ethiopia.    Both countries continue to be affected by the threat posed by al-Shabaab, which requires some cooperation. However, mistrust between the two countries remains. Despite the tensions, there have been efforts to improve relations, particularly within regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia are likely to continue to be shaped by regional security interests, territorial disputes, and internal political developments in both countries. A sustainable improvement in relations requires confidence-building, diplomatic initiatives, and the resolution of long-standing conflicts. Tensions between Somalia and Burundi must be understood primarily in the context of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the regional security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Burundi is one of the main troop contributors to AMISOM, and its role in Somalia has occasionally led to diplomatic and political tensions.  Burundi has been a major contributor of troops to AMISOM, the African Union mission to combat the Islamist militia al-Shabaab and stabilize Somalia, since 2007. Burundian soldiers are stationed in some of the most contested regions of Somalia and have suffered significant casualties. A recurring problem is the inadequate funding of AMISOM by the international community. Burundi has repeatedly complained about late or incomplete payments for its troops. These financial problems have led to frustration in Burundi and strained relations with Somalia and the African Union. The political situation in Burundi, particularly since the controversial re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015 and the unrest that followed, has affected the country's ability to fully focus on its mission in Somalia. The current President of Burundi is Évariste Ndayishimiye, in office since 18 June 2020. He is a Burundian politician and former military leader, serving as the tenth President of Burundi. Ndayishimiye rose to prominence during the Burundian Civil War and was endorsed by his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza to succeed him. He won the 2020 presidential election by a clear majority, although the fairness of the election was questioned. His presidency was marked by efforts to become more internationally engaged and address domestic problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The international community has criticized Burundi for human rights violations and political repression, making cooperation within AMISOM even more difficult. Burundi has been involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since October 2023. Over 10,000 soldiers are deployed to support the Congolese army against the M23 and other armed groups. However, Burundian forces have recently accelerated their withdrawal from the DRC due to logistical challenges and the deteriorating security situation. The Rwandan-backed M23 has achieved significant successes, capturing key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, leading to a massive influx of refugees into Burundi. The conflict has raised concerns about a potential regional escalation. As part of AMISOM's planned transition to a Somali-led security structure (ATMIS - African Union Transition Mission in Somalia), some Burundian troops have begun to withdraw from Somalia. However, this process has brought challenges, including security vulnerabilities and tensions between the parties involved. There have been reports of occasional tensions between Somali officials and Burundian troops, particularly over coordination and responsibilities on the ground. However, these tensions are more operational in nature and do not necessarily reflect a deep diplomatic crisis. According to official figures, the new arrangement will involve 4,500 troops from Uganda, 2,500 from Ethiopia, 1,520 from Djibouti, 1,410 from Kenya and 1,091 from Egypt. According to Somali and African Union officials, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), or AUSSOM for short, is expected to have 11,900 soldiers, police officers and civilian personnel on the ground in Somalia. @vosswahili