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The United States and four partner countries have come together to address the pressing need for a new African Union mission in Somalia, as the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) nears its conclusion in December. The group, known as the “Somalia Quint” which includes the United States, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, met in Washington to discuss Somalia’s security challenges.
In a joint statement released, the Quint highlighted the importance of inclusive planning for the new mission, stressing the need for input from troop-contributing countries and other stakeholders. They called for a mission with clear, achievable goals and a well-defined exit strategy aligned with Somalia’s security sector capacity-building efforts.
The Quint also expressed concerns about regional tensions, particularly in light of Turkish-mediated efforts to ease tensions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland in early 2024. Somalia made it clear that Ethiopia, a key contributor to ATMIS, will not be part of the AU-led forces in Somalia after the current mission concludes.
Egypt added to the escalating tensions by sending military officers and heavy equipment to Mogadishu, with reports suggesting a potential deployment of up to 10,000 Egyptian soldiers. In response, Ethiopia voiced its concerns about the situation, describing it as risky for the region and emphasizing the need to prevent destabilization efforts.
General Michael Langley, Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), also raised questions about troop-contributing countries in the new mission structure, given Ethiopia’s significant role in ATMIS operations. With the December conclusion of ATMIS approaching, the discussions and developments surrounding the new AU mission in Somalia are critical for ensuring peace and stability in the region.
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