APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopian troops who were stationed in Ma Dhama camp in Northern Kismayo as part of an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia have withdrawn, APA can report on Friday.
The troops leaving the area were under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) peacekeeping mission.
“The handover of the Ma Dhama camp to Somali security forces was managed by Gen. Yusuf Hussein Osman Dhumal of Jubaland and Gen. Ali Mohamed Mohamud Bagmadow of the Somali National Army, facilitated by ATMIS’s Gen. Lucas Kutto.”
In addition to the peacekeeping mission, thousands of Ethiopian troops are in Somalia as part of a bilateral arrangement between the governments of Ethiopia and Somalia.
However, it is unclear if Ethiopia is withdrawing them in light of the recent tensions over a deal with the semi autnomous Somaliland which allows Ethiopia access to the Red Sea.
The relationship between the two countries deteriorated after Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland to gain sea access in exchange for a stake in Ethiopian Airlines – among other arrangements.
The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Kismayo comes amid growing tension between the two neighbours.
However, the military leaders said it is part of the ongoing ATMIS strategy to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces, aiming for a complete handover by year’s end.
The Ethiopian Defense Force is yet to explain the withdrawal of its troops durng the writing of this report.
MG/as/APA