UN Approves New African Mission for Somalia's Security, Excluding Ethiopian Forces

The United Nations Security Council has approved the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), marking a historic shift in Somalia’s security landscape. Set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in January 2025, AUSSOM will operate without Ethiopian forces, a notable development reflecting Somalia’s firm stance on sovereignty and regional dynamics.

Resolution 2767 (2024), passed with 14 votes in favor and one abstention by the United States, authorizes a 12-month mandate for AUSSOM to deploy up to 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers. The mission will assist Somali forces in combating Al-Shabaab and other terrorist threats, with operations concluding by June 2025. Somalia has secured bilateral agreements for troop contributions, guaranteeing the deployment of 11,000 personnel from other regional partners.

Somalia’s Firm Stance on Ethiopia’s Exclusion

Somalia has taken decisive steps to exclude Ethiopian forces from AUSSOM, citing longstanding tensions and allegations of destabilizing activities. Accusations of Ethiopian arms smuggling into Somalia, which Somali officials claim have fueled clan conflicts and undermined the country’s sovereignty, have strained relations between the two nations. Somalia has also objected to Ethiopia’s agreements with Somaliland, viewing them as a violation of its territorial integrity.

The Somali delegation at the UN framed Ethiopia’s exclusion as essential to preserving Somalia’s sovereignty and addressing security gaps without external interference. "This decision underscores our national interest in structuring AUSSOM to reflect Somalia’s security priorities and partnerships," said a Somali representative.

Ethiopia has expressed frustration over its exclusion, citing its longstanding contributions to Somalia’s stability. Addressing the Security Council, Ethiopian officials highlighted the growing threat posed by Al-Shabaab and called for regional unity against terrorism. However, Somalia’s rejection of Ethiopian forces signals a broader recalibration of regional relationships and a shift toward self-reliance.