JidbaaleMogadishu (Jidbaale): Ethiopian military have allegedly seized control of significant airports in Somalia’s Gedo area, namely Luuq, Dolow, and Bardhere, amidst escalating tensions following rumors of the Somali federal government’s intention to station Egyptian troops near the Ethiopian border.
The deployment of Ethiopian military has raised apprehension among local militia groups, which are allegedly gathering in reaction. This increase occurs as Ethiopian forces are slated to leave from Somalia by December 2024, coinciding with the expiration of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
We are planning a new AU-led peacekeeping mission to replace ATMIS. Somalia has indicated that it will exclude Ethiopian forces from the upcoming mission, choosing to involve Egypt instead.
Tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have escalated following Ethiopia’s contentious agreement with “Somaliland,” which proclaimed independence from Somalia, in January. The accord provides Ethiopia with access to Somaliland’s coastline, including the possibility of establishing a naval station. Somalia, which regards “Somaliland” as integral to its territory, denounced the agreement as an infringement of its sovereignty.
