MOGADISHU (SD) -Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia are expected to withdraw from the country by the end of December 2024, as stated by the National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali.

According to the National Security Advisor, Ethiopian troops will not be among the “AU-led forces” operating in Somalia once the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) concludes its current mandate in December of the same year.

The National Security Advisor stated that troops forming part of the new mission will come from four countries, namely Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi.

A contingent of Ethiopian troops are part of the ATMIS mission. Additionally, there is a portion of Ethiopian troops stationed in southern regions of the country that are not part of the ATMIS mission.

ATMIS is slated to exit Somalia by the end of December 2024, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023).

However, ATMIS has indicated that plans are in place to establish a post-ATMIS military force to assist in safeguarding strategic areas for civilians, UN facilities, and critical government installations.

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia hit a low point after Ethiopia signed a controversial Maritime Agreement with the Somaliland administration on January 1 of this year. The agreement granted Ethiopia access to a port, in exchange Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland.

The Somali government rejected the agreement, leading to the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia, and the closure of Ethiopian consulate offices in Somaliland and Puntland in April.