Somali UN envoy urges AU troops to adhere to international law, respect territorial integrity

Somali UN envoy urges AU troops to adhere to international law, respect territorial integrity

Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday September 10, 2024

UNITED NATIONS (HOL) — Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abukar Dahir Osman, has called on African Union troop-contributing countries to follow international law and respect Somalia’s territorial integrity strictly.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, Osman stressed that foreign military actions should align with regional frameworks to avoid destabilizing the country.
Osman highlighted that failure to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity could be seen as aggression, potentially endangering the country’s stability. He also emphasized the need for adequate funding to sustain peacekeeping operations, which are crucial for Somalia’s long-term security.

While Osman did not name specific countries, political analysts suggest his remarks were directed at Ethiopia. The Somali government has previously stated that Ethiopian forces will not be part of the new peacekeeping mission that is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by December 2024. Instead, Somalia has expressed interest in involving Egyptian troops in the new mission.

Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have soured recently, particularly after Ethiopia signed a contentious agreement with Somaliland in January, giving the landlocked country access to Somaliland’s coastline. Somalia views the deal as a violation of its sovereignty.