Ethiopia says troop pull out from Somalia not linked to internal crisis

Ethiopia has stated that its decision to pull out troops from Somalia is not linked to the state of emergency declared in the country that has faced months of anti-government protests.

Communication minister Getachew Reda explained at a news conference in the capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday that their decision was due to limited support in the fight against Al Shabaab which creates a financial burden.

“The troops are not under the AMISOM mandate and are unfortunately not supported in their efforts to assist the Somali National Army … The Somali National Army and the international community must take responsibility,” Reda said.

He also noted that the withdrawal does not affect the 4,400 Ethiopian contingent operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) but only “a few thousands financially supported by Ethiopia.”

Ethiopian troops withdrew from key towns in Somalia’s Hiran province which were formerly the stronghold of jihadists Al Shabaab.

The troops pulled out from the city of Tiyeeglow on Wednesday and the Islamists announced immediately that they had taken control of the town as they did in Moqokori, El-Ali and Halgan in the past week.

Ethiopia has imposed a six-month state of emergency to control anti-government protests in the Oromo and Amhara regions.