Somalia Greenlights Egyptian Troops Deployment, Signaling Shift from Ethiopian MilitaryMOGADISHU, Somalia - In what could be a strategic move to replace Ethiopian troops in the upcoming AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the government of Somalia has okayed the deployment of Egyptian forces in the country After the August security deal. Somalia has opposed the inclusion of Ethiopia in the new mission, citing alleged violations of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. In a bid to establish a military presence in Somalia, Egypt has dispatched weapons, military advisors, and Commando units as advance teams despite objections by Troops Contributing Countries led by Uganda. Although Somalia maintains it has the power to determine the composition of mission teams, Ethiopia says such actions are subject to African Union determination. But the presence of Egyptian commandos along with Somali National Army officers has been sighted in critical supply routes manned by Ethiopian troops, signaling an irreversible decision by Somalia to replace them, particularly in Southwest and Jubaland, sources said.

Source: Ethiopian News October 17, 2024 21:41 UTC