ADDIS ABABA (SD)-The Ethiopian government has announced that it will continue its efforts to weaken Al-Shabaab.

Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, the spokesperson for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Ethiopia’s crucial role in reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in the region.

“Al-Shabaab still poses a concern for our national security, and efforts to counter them will continue under all circumstances to prevent them from becoming a regional security threat,” said Nebiat Getachew.

Nebiat also noted that since Ethiopia and Somalia are indispensable neighbors, Ethiopia will continue to implement its strategic vision to strengthen regional integration in the long term.

The statement from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed a declaration by Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who stated that Ethiopia would not participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The Minister argued that the agreement Ethiopia signed with Somaliland undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and unity.

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia deteriorated after Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding on January 1, 2024.

The understanding aims to facilitate Ethiopia’s access to the sea in exchange for its recognition of Somaliland’s independence.