Somalia demands withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somali territory

FILE PHOTO: Ethiopian and Somali government soldiers line-up before embarking on a joint patrol in areas south east of Dusamareeb, March 19, 2014, as they prepare an offensive advance against al Shabaab militants, who have retreated into the central areas of Somalia. REUTERS/Feisal Omar/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

Somalia has called for the complete withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from its country.

According to National Security Advisor Hussein Maalim, the last batch of troops must leave the country by the end of December 2024.

This means Ethiopian troops will not be part of the African Union (AU) )-led forces operating in the country at the end of the

African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mission in December.

The country is currently negotiating with other international partners to establish a multinational force whose operations will begin in January 2025.

Azernews reports that the multinational force is expected to comprise four countries including Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi.

Ethiopian troops have contributed to ATMIS and additional troops stationed in Somalia outside the ATMIS framework.

Wonder Hagan