Ethiopian troops will Leave after Uganda and Burundian troops leave

Not only are the Ethiopian troops leaving Somalia in the near future, but they will also take the Ugandans and Burundians with them says the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi reportedly told his parliament that the AU troops of Burundi and Uganda requested of him to help them vacate as the fear for their safety when the Ethiopians leave.  Meles said that is the primary reason delaying his widely anticipated departure from the neighboring country.

The news of their intent to leave is shocking to even the resistance in Somalia.  Further more, no time table of their departure is available making it difficult for Somalis to believe in it as more than just a simple trickery by Meles Zenawi.

The AU force currently in Mogadishu were always expected to be in Somalia by the EU, UN, and their primary financier the U.S.  

According to Meles Zenawi, the Ugandan and Burundian forces already made it clear to him that they are no longer interested in staying in Somalia and that they requested support in ensuring safe passage for them.

At this time, we are looking into every aspect of our withdrawal, the main issue now is to ensure that Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers pull out safe and sound  Meles Zenawi

Despite his claims, neither country has given any public indication that it wants to withdraw its troops from the beleaguered Amisom force.

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The question is, how long is Zenawi planning on staying back in Somalia.  The answer, he said the Ethiopians would leave as soon as the AU troops leave.