Egypt, Uganda Support Somalia's Sovereignty, AUSSOM Transition

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Uganda President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have supported Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, arguing that the independence of the country should not be interfered with by "outsiders".

Museveni and al-Sisi, who spoke on a telephone call on Friday, said their governments shall support Somalia in the ongoing transition of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) which is being replaced by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The transition is being undertaken and Egypt is set to take the lead role in managing the new mission. The entrance of Egypt has, however, caused an uproar, with Ethiopia accusing Cairo of "opportunism". The two countries are wrangling over the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam along the Nile River.

Also, El-Sisi highlighted to Museveni Egypt's efforts to support Sudan in overcoming its crisis and moving toward a ceasefire, stressing the need for protecting the Sudanese people from the ravages of war and facilitating access to humanitarian aid. Museveni commended Egypt’s efforts with regard to the Sudanese crisis.

Ethiopia troops were expected to leave but Somalia has relaxed its stand and likely granted them allocation of soldiers in the new mission. The new mission is set to strengthen the achievements made by ATMIS by ensuring Somalia remains stable.

Somalia is fighting the Al-Shabaab but the initial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland is said to have engineered the bad relationship between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Ethiopia however, believes 'external actors ' are compromising the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

This will be the first time Egypt is contributing soldiers to Somalia in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Both Uganda and Ethiopia have traditionally supported the course, with Ethiopia donating close to 10,000 troops for peacekeeping missions.

GAROWE ONLINE