Somalia warns Ethiopian unrest may impact AUSSOM security

Somalia has warned that escalating political and security instability in neighboring Ethiopia could undermine security operations within Somalia. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad stated that Ethiopia’s stability is directly linked to Somalia’s security due to their shared border and deep economic and social ties.

Balcad cautioned that prolonged unrest in Ethiopia might force Addis Ababa to reduce or withdraw troops currently serving in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Ethiopian forces are a significant component of the mission, which includes a contingent of approximately 2,500 troops alongside forces from Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti, and Egypt. Additionally, Ethiopia deploys forces under separate bilateral arrangements.

The warning follows reports regarding potential troop movements, including a previous report that Ethiopia was preparing to withdraw over 3,000 troops. While Somali defense officials previously stated they had not been informed of such a plan, the potential for Ethiopian forces to redeploy domestically to address internal pressures could create significant security gaps for Somali institutions and the fight against al-Shabab.