The UN Security Council is set to vote on Friday to end the arms embargo on Somalia, which has been in place for more than 30 years. The move is seen as a boost for the Somali government and its security forces, who have been struggling to contain the threat of the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab.
The arms embargo was imposed in 1992, when Somalia descended into civil war and chaos after the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. The embargo aimed to prevent the flow of weapons to warring factions, but also hampered the development of a national army and police force.
In 2013, the Security Council partially lifted the embargo, allowing the Somali government to import light weapons and ammunition, subject to certain conditions and notifications. However, the government has repeatedly called for the full removal of the embargo, arguing that it needs more and better equipment to fight al-Shabaab and secure the country.
Al-Shabaab, which is allied to al-Qaeda, has been waging a violent insurgency against the Somali government since 2006, seeking to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group has carried out numerous attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries, targeting civilians, government officials, security forces, and peacekeepers.
The Somali government, backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and international partners, has managed to push al-Shabaab out of most major towns and cities, but the group still controls large rural areas and frequently launches raids and bombings.
According to the UN Secretary-General’s latest report on Somalia, al-Shabaab remains the primary threat to peace and security in the country, and has increased its attacks in 2023, especially in the capital Mogadishu and the southern regions. The report also warns that al-Shabaab continues to generate significant revenue from taxation, extortion, and illicit trade, and has improved its weapons and explosives capabilities.
The Security Council is expected to adopt two resolutions on Friday, one to lift the arms embargo on the Somali government and its security forces, and another to reimpose an arms embargo on al-Shabaab and other entities that threaten the peace and stability of Somalia.
The resolutions are based on the recommendations of the UK, which holds the pen on Somalia at the Security Council, and have been negotiated with the other members of the council, as well as the Somali government and the African Union.
The resolutions also call for the international community to provide more support to the Somali government and its security forces, in terms of training, equipment, infrastructure, and technical assistance. They also urge the Somali government to improve its weapons and ammunition management, and to implement the National Security Architecture and the Somalia Transition Plan, which outline the roles and responsibilities of the federal and state security institutions.
The lifting of the arms embargo is seen as a sign of confidence and recognition for the Somali government, which has made progress in advancing the electoral process, the constitutional review, and the fight against terrorism. However, the government also faces many challenges and risks, such as political divisions, clan conflicts, human rights violations, humanitarian crises, and climate shocks.
The UN and its partners have pledged to continue to support the Somali government and people in their efforts to achieve peace, stability, and development. The UN also appeals to all Somalis to work together to overcome their differences and to reject violence and extremism.
Source: Reuters
