In a significant development for security in the Horn of Africa, the United Nations Security Council has authorized a new peacekeeping mission to carry forward the long-running battle against the al-Shabaab insurgency in Somalia. The resolution, adopted on Friday, paves the way for the deployment of up to 12,626 personnel under the banner of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
This force will replace the existing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which in turn succeeded the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – the largest, longest-running, and deadliest peacekeeping operation in history. The move underscores the international community’s commitment to supporting the Somali government in its nearly two-decade struggle against the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group.
Ethiopia’s Role in Question Amid Territorial Dispute
However, the future composition of the mission remains uncertain, with doubts arising over the participation of troops from neighbouring Ethiopia – historically a major contributor to peacekeeping efforts in Somalia. The two countries have been embroiled in a year-long dispute over a sea access deal reached between Ethiopia and the separatist northern Somaliland region.
No nation can trust another where their sovereignty was threatened by them.
– Ayub Ismail Yusuf, Somali MP
Somali officials have strongly opposed the agreement, which would reportedly grant Ethiopia a portion of Somaliland’s coast for potential naval use, decrying it as an attempt to “annex” Somali territory. The row has led Somalia to hint that it may seek to exclude Ethiopian troops from the peacekeeping mission, potentially replacing them with contingents from other countries such as Egypt.
Diplomatic Efforts and Security Concerns
While a diplomatic breakthrough brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last month appeared to have resolved the impasse, with Somalia agreeing to allow Ethiopian troops to remain, the situation remains fluid. Somalia’s national security advisor, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, suggested that a final decision on Ethiopia’s involvement has yet to be made.
The uncertainty is compounded by recent allegations from the Somali government that Ethiopian troops attacked its forces in the southern Jubbaland state, causing casualties – claims that Ethiopia has denied. The incident underscores the delicate balance and complex regional dynamics at play in the peacekeeping mission.
Al-Shabaab Threat and International Support
Meanwhile, the al-Shabaab threat looms large, with the group continuing to carry out regular deadly attacks across Somalia and in neighbouring Kenya. The August 2024 assault on a beach in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which killed almost 40 people and wounded more than 200, serves as a stark reminder of the militants’ reach and the urgency of the peacekeeping mission.
International support for Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab remains strong, with the UK and France welcoming the UN resolution as a vital step in reinforcing counter-terrorism efforts and enabling the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The new mission’s mandate will also encompass supporting Somalia’s stabilisation efforts.
This commitment addresses any security vacuum created by Ethiopia while sustaining progress in the fight against al-Shabaab.
– Mohamed Rabi Yusuf, Somalia representative to the UN
As AUSSOM prepares to take up the mantle from ATMIS, questions remain over how the force will be constituted and whether the regional tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia can be overcome in the interest of combating the shared threat posed by al-Shabaab. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future shape and success of the peacekeeping mission, with the security of the region hanging in the balance.
Despite the challenges, the international community remains committed to supporting Somalia in its long battle against extremism, recognizing that a stable and secure Somalia is essential for the broader stability of the Horn of Africa region. As the new UN-mandated mission gets underway, all eyes will be on its ability to build on the progress made by its predecessors and deliver a decisive blow to al-Shabaab.
