The UN Security Council is unlikely to fully restore arms embargo on Somalia, despite concerns about the possible diversion of weapons to Al-Shabaab

[Admin]

 

The UN Security Council is unlikely to fully restore a decades-old arms embargo on Somalia, despite concerns about the possible diversion of weapons to Al-Qaeda-linked militants, but may extend eased restrictions on government purchases, diplomats said.

 

A year ago, the 15-member council agreed to partially lift the arms embargo on Somalia, allowing the government in Mogadishu to buy light weapons to strengthen its security forces to fight Islamist groups.

 

However, a confidential UN monitors' report obtained by Reuters last week, warned of "systematic abuses" by Somalia's government – which the monitors say has allowed the diversion of weapons that Somali authorities purchased after the Security Council eased the arms embargo last year.

 

"Given the concerns about the way the suspension has been operated, we're thinking of... continuing the suspension but for a more limited period with some very strict criteria," said a senior UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

 

The eased restrictions are due to expire early next month. Instead of extending the move for another year, it may only be renewed until the end of October, which is when UN experts – who monitor the embargo and other sanctions on Somalia and Eritrea – are due to report to council on any violations.

 

"This is not because the international community thinks the Somali government is doing a good job in keeping track of its weapons. On the contrary," said a diplomatic source, adding that new conditions on the government could include further notification and reporting requirements on arms purchases.

 

The UN Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group recommended in its confidential report to the Security Council's sanctions committees last week that either the full arms embargo be restored or at least notification and reporting requirements related to arms deliveries be tightened.

 

Somalia's government last year had asked for the arms embargo to be fully removed and the United States supported that, but other Security Council members were wary of doing that in a country already awash with weapons, diplomats said.

 

The senior diplomat said some Security Council members might "argue that (Somalia's government) had their chance and they blew it and we should re-impose the arms embargo." But he said a shorter extension of the eased restrictions, with tighter conditions, could be seen as a "final warning."

 

The Security Council imposed the embargo on Somalia in 1992 to cut the flow of weapons to feuding warlords, who a year earlier had ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and plunged the country into civil war. Somalia held its first vote since 1991 in 2012 to elect a president and prime minister.

 

The eased restrictions allow sales to the government of such weapons as automatic assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, but leave in place a ban on surface-to-air missiles, large-calibre guns, howitzers, cannons and mortars as well as anti-tank guided weapons, mines and night-vision weapon sights.

 

The UN resolution last year said weapons and equipment "may not be resold to, transferred to, or made available for use by, any individual or entity not in the service of the security forces of the federal government of Somalia."

 

It asked the Somalia government to report regularly on the structure of the security forces and the infrastructure and procedures in place to ensure safe storage, maintenance and distribution of military equipment.

 

There is a 17,600-strong African Union peacekeeping force and a UN political mission in the Horn of Africa country.

 

Source: Reuters

 

http://www.somaliaonline.com/the-un-security-council-is-unlikely-to-fully-restore-arms-embargo-on-somalia-despite-concerns-about-the-possible-diversion-of-weapons-to-al-shabaab/

[Mooge]

if the UN wants to arm alshabab, then we know the UN is Somalia's enemy number one. giving weapons to this president is like arming alshabab. there is no difference. lets be honest.

[Johnny B]

Thinking that the UN is Somalia's enemy number one is something both Mooge and Al-shabaab share.

[galbeedi]

I believe the western nations especially the United State and Britain understand that A well armed Somali army is the key for the future stability of Somalia. If you compare this years report to the previous comprehensive reports done by the monitoring groups, this one is a report done by a lazy bureaucrats residing in Nairobi. The only info they use against the government is the one provided by the SFg it self.They don't point or explain how Al-shabaab is financed or buy arms. They don't even indulge what is going on outside Mogadishu especially the destructive nature of Maamulada.

 

Personally I don't like Qoslaaye, his security Minister Dhagajune or the Unuka entourage that reside at the Palace. The issue is not about him. It is about us The Somali people and Nation. Theft of arms , smuggling and other crimes will happen in small scale, but no nation facing rootless extremists will survive without arming it's military. We can't relay on others to defend Somalia. The issue of the Embargo is about Somali sovereignty and self defense. If the world including Somalis decide that we can't rule our selves, then call the colonial powers. BY all means.

 

The non legal entities, whether they are organized crime, criminals or extremists, they will always find a way to acquire illegal weapons. It has been always like that, but governments and nations must not be left to the mercy of criminals and rival neighbors who desire weak Somalia.

 

Let us put some save guards that will keep arms in the hands of the legal authorities. Even before this, there were some Somalis who were favoring arms embargo for the fear that clan militia may use the weapons for criminal purposes. We can't have both ways. On one side we are demanding the government to defend it's citizens from Al-shabaab, on the other hand we are denying them the means to defend. Are you waiting for another leader to come and ask for the embargo to be lifted.

 

Finally if this government have a back bone it take their offensive against these lazy monitoring group in Nairobi and demand compartment monitors who understand the dynamics of the war and peace in Somalia. Make no mistake, the future of the county can't be trusted in the judgement of few bureaucrats in Nairobi.