A Key Operation for Security

By Robel Yohannes

Ethiopia is playing a leading role in weakening and clearing Al-Shabaab. The recent operation launched against Al-shabaab has huge importance for the security of the region and the peace of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia, Wondimu Asaminew said in an exclusive interview with Ethiopian Press Agency.

Recently, in a joint military offensive operation launched by Ethiopian unit of AMISOM, and Somali troops, many strongholds of Al-shabaab have been freed. The Ambassador said that what Ethiopia is doing there is important for its peace and security. The Ambassador said that activities of the new operation right now is focusing on Sector 3 - Ethiopia's zone of control in the AMISOM mission. This has huge importance in the context of Ethiopia's security considering 60 per cent of the five regions under Sector 3 borders with Ethiopia. "Peace and stability in Somalia has implications for our country's peace and development. More than anything else, we are doing it because it has huge implication for peace and the security of the whole region," he said. The Ambassador also indicated that Ethiopia is playing a leading role in weakening and clearing Al-Shabaab as all of the activity of the new operation right now is taking place in the sector under Ethiopia's zone of control, which includes most of the territory.

He added that Ethiopia has sent in its troops outside of AMISOM, and has been providing support from its own resource. The Ambassador also said that it is through the collaboration of Somali government, the international community and relevant stakeholders that good result could be gained. Weighing further on this, Wondimu said that in order to fully dislodge Al-shabaab, the operation should not be confined to the sector Ethiopia controls, as operation has not yet been launched in the remaining 40 per cent of territory under the control of other AMISOM forces.

The responsibility of ensuring law and order in the freed areas rests on the government of Somalia. Ambassador Wondimu also indicated that Ethiopia has been giving social and humanitarian support besides providing training to Somali government troops. "We are doing these tasks simultaneously with our combating responsibilities. But, this should not be a task that should be left to us," said the Ambassador.

With regard to this, the Ambassador highlighted that a scholarship had been granted to 150 Somali students, with additional 300 scholarships planned for this year. According to the Ambassador, relations between the parliaments of the two countries has recently been initiated, while the Ethiopian Airlines will be launching flight there. He is of the conviction that these and other various initiatives, like trade, would strengthen the relations between the two countries.