MOGADISHU (SD) – Somalia and Ethiopia have reached an agreement for Ethiopian troops to participate in the new African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

This development follows a visit to Mogadishu yesterday by the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, General Birhanu Jula, and the Director-General of Ethiopia’s Intelligence Agency, Ridwan Hussein.

They met with the Commander of the Somali National Army (SNA), General Odowaa, and the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Sanbalooshe. Both sides also agreed to expedite the implementation of previous military agreements, enhance security cooperation between the two countries, and promote regional stability.

“The two sides agreed that the Somali Federal Government (SFG) is the sole authority in Somalia, while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and unity,” stated a joint press release issued by both parties.

The visit by the Ethiopian delegation comes at a time when the Somali government is seeking to replace Ethiopian troops in the border regions with its own forces, following recent tensions between the two countries.