MOGADISHU (SD) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ahmed Moalin Fiqi, stated that the AUSSOM troops’ plan was not part of the negotiations in Ankara where Somalia and Ethiopia reached an agreement.

Minister Fiqi said that the Federal Government of Somalia would remain the ultimate authority in selecting the countries contributing troops to the new AUSSOM mission.

Minister Fiqi also emphasized that the Ankara Declaration reaffirmed Somalia’s independence, unity, and territorial integrity, highlighting that the country would continue to progress in regional cooperation.

However, Ethiopia wants its troops to continue participating in peacekeeping operations in Somalia and join the new mission set to start next year, replacing ATMIS.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in Ankara, acknowledged that Ethiopian troops have sacrificed for Somalia’s stability. Previously, the president had accused Ethiopian troops of violating Somalia’s sovereignty within the country.