Somalia’s Southwest State opposes federal government’s plan to withdraw Ethiopian troops by 2024

The Southwest regional state administration has opposed the federal government’s plan to withdraw Ethiopian troops from the country by the end of 2024, when the ATMIS mission officially ends in December.

The regional state’s Ministry of Security said on its X (formerly Twitter) account that the Southwest administration is monitoring individuals who are misleading the public about the work of the Ethiopian army in the state.

Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, stated on Saturday that the Somalian government cannot and will not consider Ethiopia an ally in advancing peace and security in the region as long as Ethiopia continues to violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also confirmed that new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi will arrive in Somalia after the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) exits the country. He emphasized that Ethiopian troops will not be part of the AU-led forces operating in the country once the ATMIS mission ends.

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia have deteriorated significantly since January 1, when Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Somaliland government. The agreement allows Ethiopia sea access and a military base in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland.