NEW YORK: The UNSC on Friday lifted an arms embargo on Somali government troops, but continued to maintain sanctions against the Al-Shabab militant group, Westen media reported.
The UN executed a general weapons embargo on Somalia in 1992, but has since largely eased it in regards to government forces in the African country. The embargo did not apply to deliveries of arms for the development of security forces in Somalia, although the UN committee managing the sanctions had to be notified and could object to some heavy arms.
UN Lifts Weapons Embargo on Somali Troops
A first resolution approved unanimously Friday lifted the embargo, removing the last limits on the government in Somalia. The 2nd resolution reimposed the embargo on Al-Shabab militant group, maintaining the ban on delivery of ammunition, arms and equipment to the group and “other elements intent on undermining security and peace in Somalia.” Somali envoy Abukar Dahir Osman lauded the moves and said that new development enables them to confront security threat in the region. The Ambassador said “It also permits us to boost the capacity of the Somali forces by accessing arms and equipment to adequately secure our people and our nation.”
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The Somali military, in alliance with clan militias, has been assisted by forces from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in retaking vast areas of the territory.
