On Monday, Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations accused Ethiopian troops of making illegal incursions across their shared border, leading to confrontations with local security forces.
Currently, at least 3,000 Ethiopian soldiers are stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS), which is combating al Shabaab, an Islamist militia controlling large portions of the country.
Under a bilateral agreement, another 5,000-7,000 Ethiopian soldiers are stationed in various regions of Somalia.
On Saturday, a contingent of Ethiopian soldiers crossed into Somalia’s Hiraan region to monitor threats from al Shabaab and withdrew on Sunday, according to several local elders who spoke to Reuters News agency.
Spokespeople for Ethiopia’s army and Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Somalia’s U.N. ambassador, Abukar Dahir Osman, stated that Ethiopia’s recent ‘misadventure’ had compelled Somalia to postpone the next withdrawal of ATMIS troops from July to September.
ATMIS is set to withdraw by December 31, to be replaced by a new, smaller force. With 5,000 of the roughly 18,500 troops having left last year, the government remains confident in its ability to maintain security against al Shabaab.
The government has indicated that the new force should be capped at 10,000 troops and focus on securing major population centers.
Earlier this year, relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa soured when landlocked Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland.
Somaliland, a region claiming independence from Somalia and operating autonomously since 1991, is yet to secure extensive international recognition.
Ethiopia proposed potential recognition for Somaliland in exchange for permission to establish a naval base and commercial port in Somaliland, a move Mogadishu has labeled as unlawful.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: ShopRite closes operation in Nigeria’s capital city over prevailing financial condition