ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has firmly reiterated its commitment to combating al-Shabaab, with Ambassador Nebiat Getachew declaring on November 14, 2024, that the nation’s mission to “weaken the group will continue in any way possible” to safeguard national security. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson emphasized that al-Shabaab remains a significant concern, stating that efforts to counter the group will persist to prevent any resurgence or foothold that could threaten the country.

This pronouncement comes amid Somalia’s decision to exclude Ethiopia from the new African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will commence in January 2025. Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, justified the exclusion, citing Ethiopia’s maritime agreement with Somaliland as a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty.

The African Union’s peacekeeping initiative, which began as AMISOM in 2007 and evolved into ATMIS, is slated to conclude in December before AUSSOM’s launch. AUSSOM, designed to support Somalia until 2028 with approximately 12,000 troops, marks the next phase of regional stability efforts.

The diplomatic rift intensified following Ethiopia’s January 1, 2024, agreement with Somaliland that granted Ethiopia potential sea access in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland’s independence. This move has heightened tensions with Somalia, which views it as a sovereignty violation. Despite the discord, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry insists on a balanced approach prioritizing both security and regional integration, underlining that the two nations’ relationship remains “inseparable” despite current challenges.