Ethiopia and Somalia Agree to Develop Military Status of Forces Agreement

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to develop a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to regulate Ethiopian military operations in Somalia, according to a joint communiqué released by Ethiopian state media Fana Television.

The agreement follows a high-level visit by Ethiopian Army Chief Field Marshal General Birhanu Jula and National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Chief Redwan Hussein to Mogadishu on February 22, 2025. The Ethiopian delegation was received by Somali National Army (SNA) Chief of Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Odawa Yusuf Rage and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Director Amb. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali.

The discussions stem from a recent meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa from February 14-16, 2025. Both leaders had agreed to hold technical discussions on military cooperation, leading to the Ethiopian delegation’s visit to Mogadishu.

According to the joint communiqué, the military leaders focused on security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and Ethiopia’s role in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). They also reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability while emphasizing efforts to combat Al-Shabaab.

The proposed SOFA is expected to define the legal status, responsibilities, and operational scope of Ethiopian forces inside Somalia. The agreement will also be part of the broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation signed in December 2023.

In addition to finalizing Ethiopian troop placement within AUSSOM, the military chiefs agreed that all future engagements between the two nations must go through the Federal Government of Somalia. The statement emphasized respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.

The communiqué also called on the international community to support Somalia’s security forces, ensuring a smooth transition as AUSSOM phases out and Somali forces take full responsibility for national security.

Despite Ethiopian media confirming the agreement, the Somali government has not yet publicly commented on the SOFA discussions or the broader security framework. The development comes amid diplomatic tensions following Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, which Somalia considers a breach of its sovereignty.

As the two nations continue military cooperation, the proposed SOFA will be closely watched, particularly given Somalia’s ongoing efforts to consolidate control over its security forces and foreign military presence.

Mustaqbal