Ethiopia has declared its dedication to weakening Al-Shabaab, despite being excluded from the new African Union support and stabilization mission in Somalia.

According to Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia will persist in its longstanding efforts to combat the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab. In response to inquiries from reporters, Ambassador Nebiat stated, “The crucial task of diminishing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab will continue until our national security is safeguarded and the progress made is upheld.”

The Ministry of Defense of Somalia recently disclosed that Ethiopia, which has been part of the African Union peacekeeping force for seventeen years, will not participate in the new mission in Somalia.

Somalia announced that the Ethiopian army will not be part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AWSOM), replacing the expiring African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in January.

When he asked by journalists on Ethiopia’s exclusion from the new mission, the spokesperson did not directly address the matter but affirmed that Ethiopia remains committed to combating Al-Shabaab.

Ambassador Nebiat highlighted Ethiopia’s role in the region, emphasizing, “The international community recognizes the pivotal role Ethiopia plays in curbing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in the region.”

However, the Somali Foreign Ministry recently blamed the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia for escalating Al-Shabaab activities, distinct from other nations contributing troops. The Ministry criticized past deployments of Ethiopian troops for exacerbating Al-Shabaab’s influence without significant progress.

Ambassador Nebiat emphasized the interconnectedness of Ethiopia and Somalia as neighboring countries, reiterating Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing regional integration. Somalia previously announced that thousands of Ethiopian soldiers would depart before the end of the peace mission due to a disagreement over the memorandum of understanding agreement with Somaliland.

Meanwhile, it is recalled that Hussain Ali, Somalia’s National Security Adviser, issued a warning that if Ethiopia did not rescind the agreement with Somaliland by the June deadline, all Ethiopian troops serving under ATMIS and the bilateral agreement would withdraw from Somalia.