Presidential Advisor: Somalia has not yet decided on countries participating in the new African Union mission

Presidential Advisor: Somalia has not yet decided on countries participating in the new African Union mission

 Hussein Sheikh Ali, National Security Advisor to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has indicated that Somalia has not yet made up its mind on which countries will participate in the African Union Mission for Support and Stabilization in Somalia (AUSOM) that is scheduled to start operations early next year.

“The government of Somalia has the legitimacy to determine the countries participating in the AUSOM mission. The decision will be announced soon, in line with our nation’s priorities – the spirit of the Ankara Declaration is still strong and alive,” Hussein said.

The advisor's statement came in response to what was widely circulated by activists on social media that Somalia had taken a decision to exclude Ethiopian forces from participating in the new African Union operation in Somalia, shortly after the UN Security Council approved on Friday the establishment of a new African mission in Somalia with the approval of 14 Security Council members, while the United States remained silent.