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Three members of Somalia’s Federal Parliament have accused Ethiopian troops serving under the African Union mission of interfering in local political matters in Buurhakaba district, located in Southwest State.
In a letter dated February 27, 2026, and addressed to the Chairperson of the African Union, the lawmakers — Saadad Mohamed Nur Aliyow, Fowsiyo Mohamed Sheikh, and Mohamed Ali Hassan — raised concerns about the conduct of Ethiopian forces operating in Sector 3. They claimed the troops have been putting pressure on the Buurhakaba district administration while failing to properly carry out their main security duties.
According to the MPs, the role of the African Union forces is to protect civilians and help stabilize the country, not to influence political processes at the local level. They warned that any involvement in politics could weaken public trust in the mission and worsen an already fragile situation in the area.
In their letter, the lawmakers stressed that the political position being expressed in Buurhakaba is not limited to the district administration alone. They said it represents a shared position held by elected officials, traditional elders, civil society members, political figures, and local security stakeholders. By interfering, they argued, foreign troops risk ignoring the collective voice of the community.
The MPs also referred to past events that continue to affect public confidence. They mentioned the 2018 Southwest State elections, when Ethiopian forces were accused of being involved in the arrest of former presidential candidate Mukhtar Robow. That incident sparked widespread controversy at the time and, according to the lawmakers, still fuels mistrust among residents in Buurhakaba and surrounding areas.
Beyond political concerns, the legislators highlighted growing humanitarian challenges in the district. They said Buurhakaba is facing worsening living conditions due to blockades and disruptions affecting civilian and humanitarian flights. These disruptions, they noted, have made it harder for aid to reach vulnerable communities.
The area is also struggling with severe drought, which has led to serious water shortages and placed additional pressure on families already dealing with insecurity. The MPs warned that when security forces are seen as interfering in politics instead of focusing on protecting communities and ensuring safe access for aid, it can deepen frustration and instability.
They emphasized that international peacekeeping missions must remain neutral and strictly follow their mandate. Any perception of political involvement, they said, risks damaging relationships with local communities and undermining efforts to build long-term peace and stability.
As of now, there has been no public response from Ethiopian authorities or the African Union mission regarding the allegations outlined in the letter.
The situation in Buurhakaba reflects broader challenges facing Somalia as it works to balance security operations, political processes, and urgent humanitarian needs. For communities already dealing with conflict and climate-related hardships, trust in security institutions remains crucial. The lawmakers’ appeal to the African Union leadership appears aimed at ensuring that international forces focus on their primary responsibility: protecting civilians and supporting stability without influencing local political affairs.