On Wednesday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong warning about potential threats to regional stability in the Horn of Africa as the African Union and the United Nations prepare for a transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission.
The Ministry's spokesperson highlighted Ethiopia's concerns, noting that repeated calls from Ethiopia and other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) have been largely ignored by the international community. Ethiopia is increasingly alarmed by what it perceives as a lack of seriousness in addressing the potential risks associated with the transition. The spokesperson stressed that Ethiopia cannot remain passive while other actors take measures that could destabilize the region, especially in light of ongoing hostile statements and efforts to undermine the sacrifices made by Ethiopian defense forces.
Ethiopia emphasized its efforts towards shared growth and strong regional ties, noting active and productive discussions with the Somali government to resolve differences.
However, the Ethiopian government is concerned that instead of continuing these peace efforts, the Somali government is allegedly collaborating with external actors with the intent to destabilize the region. The statement from the ministry urged all those involved in planning and authorizing the new peace support mission to take into account the legitimate concerns of the region's countries and the TCCs.
"Forces trying to inflame tension for their short-term and futile objectives must shoulder the grave ramifications. Ethiopia cannot tolerate these actions that endanger the gains made against regional and international terrorist groups," the statement read.
Despite these concerns, Ethiopia reiterated its commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to working with the Somali people and the international community to prevent any threats to the region’s peace and stability. The Ethiopian government continues to advocate for dialogue and cooperation as the best paths forward in maintaining security in the Horn of Africa.
The ATMIS replaced the African Union Mission to Somalia in April 2022, with the goal of transitioning security responsibilities to Somali national forces by the end of 2024. This involves a phased troop drawdown, capacity building for Somali forces, and supporting political stabilization. ATMIS is also focused on protecting civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance in areas liberated from al-Shabaab.*
The ATMIS transition represents a significant milestone in Somalia’s path to self-reliance in security matters. However, it requires careful coordination, sustained international support, and effective governance within Somalia to ensure a successful and sustainable transition.
*A terrorist organization banned in Russia and other countries