The United Nations Security Council has approved the replacement of the African Union Transitional Mission (ATMIS) in Somalia with the African Union Support and stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSOM).

During a meeting held yesterday, the Council granted authorization for African Union peacekeepers to initiate the new mission in the upcoming days to combat Al-Shabaab. The resolution received support from 14 out of the 15 member states in yesterday’s voting session, with the United States abstaining due to concerns regarding financial support for the peacekeeping mission.

As per the Council’s previously approved resolution, the United Nations will cover 75 percent of the cost of the peacekeeping forces deployed in Somalia. Agency France Presse reported that Somalia and Ethiopia, though unable to vote in the council, participated in the forum.

While reports indicate that the new Mission will comprise 11,000 troops, it has not been specified how many troops each contributing country will provide. On a separate note, Egypt has expressed its intention to send 5,000 troops to the African Union Support and Stablization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in addition to 5,000 troops for further security operations as per a bilateral defense agreement with Somalia.

Following the diplomatic tension between Ethiopia and Somalia regarding the Somaliland port agreement, it has been confirmed that Egypt, which has strengthened its friendship with Mogadishu, will participate in the new peacekeeping mission. On the other hand, Burundi, a country that has been involved in Somalia since the establishment of AMISOM in 2007, has announced its withdrawal from the new peacekeeping mission. No official confirmation has been provided about the inclusion of the Ethiopian army in the new peacekeeping force.

After the agreement between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara, Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to enhance their relations.

A recent delegation led by Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohammed, held discussions with the Director of the National Intelligence Service and officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the discussions, the two countries released a statement indicating their desire to improve relations and collaborate on common issues. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the potential participation of the Ethiopian army in the new peacekeeping mission.