NAIROBI, Kenya— According to statements from Burundi’s ambassador to the AU, Willy Nyamitwe, Burundi has formally announced its decision not to participate in the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This highlights a significant rift in troop numbers and deployment locations.
Ambassador Nyamitwe disclosed that his stance was in line with that of Djibouti’s Ambassador Abdi Mohamud Eybe, who also serves as the Chairman of the AU’s Peace and Security Council. The crux of the disagreement lies in the allocation of troop numbers, with Burundi objecting to limiting its contribution to just 1,041 soldiers while requesting at least 2,000.
This withdrawal by Burundi could signify a turning point in the mission’s structure, especially as Somalia is poised to exclude Ethiopian forces from the operation, citing breaches of its sovereignty.
Reports from Radio Shabelle indicate that Burundi was particularly against deploying its forces to the Gedo region, a hotspot of tension between Somalia and Ethiopia, where Ethiopian troops are currently stationed.
There are also emerging concerns that Ethiopia might be strategically aiming to shift the security burden onto Somalia, potentially painting the country as unstable similar to Afghanistan, to justify either the continued or the cessation of its military presence in the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab.
This development could have profound implications for regional security dynamics and the effectiveness of the AU’s operations in stabilizing Somalia.
