Somalia plans to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country by the end of the year unless Addis Ababa cancels a port deal with Somaliland. The deal has strained relations between the two countries, with Somalia viewing it as illegal. This move could leave a security vacuum that may be filled by Al-Shabaab, posing a risk of further destabilization in the region.
At least 3,000 Ethiopian soldiers are part of an African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, fighting against Al-Shabaab. The disagreement over the port deal has led to tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, with Somalia demanding the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops. The AU Transition Mission in Somalia is set to hand over security responsibilities to the Somali state by 2024, but the Somali government has requested a slower withdrawal due to setbacks on the battlefield.
There are plans for a new, smaller peacekeeping mission with Somalia preferring that Ethiopia not be part of it. The situation remains tense as both countries navigate their diplomatic differences.
Source: Reuters