The agenda behind their arrival in Mogadishu is to continue the discussions regarding the Ankara agreement and to convey official request to somalia to allow Ethiopian forces to participate in the new 2025 Somali peacekeeping mission.
Sources in Mogadishu have indicated that a preliminary understanding has been reached for Ethiopia’s participation in the new operation and the areas of operation, although Ethiopia has proposed locations for its troops to support the operation, such as the Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regions. Beyond this, there has been intense debate in recent hours regarding Ethiopia handing over to the Somali government towns along the border in Gedo, such as Dolow and Luuq.
Other sources indicate that Ethiopia has stated it cannot withdraw from these towns, claiming it needs to defend them from the threat of terrorism within Ethiopia, and that the stationed troops will cover the costs of border security.
Ethiopian troops have been present there for 20 years. This point was a priority for the Federal Government to reach an agreement on, in order to regain control of the Gedo region, which currently has Ethiopian forces stationed in the towns of Dolow and Luuq.
The delegation from Garbahaarey was awaiting the outcome of the Mogadishu meetings, hopeful for an agreement between both sides on the towns.
Editor Alldalka.com
