UN maintains Somali arms embargo over government objections

The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to maintain an arms embargo on Somalia over strong objections from its government, saying the Al-Shabaab "terrorist group" still seriously threatens peace and stability in the region and sanctions are needed to degrade its activities.

The resolution, which also expresses concern at the continued presence of affiliates of the Islamic State extremist group in the Horn of African nation, was approved by a vote of 11-0 with Russia, China, Gabon and Ghana abstaining in support of the call by the Somali government, backed by the African Union, to lift the arms embargo.

The British-drafted resolution does modify the arms embargo to reflect the government’s progress in improving its management of weapons and ammunition.

This includes allowing Somalia to import portable surface-to-air missiles, higher-caliber mortars, anti-tank guided weapons, combat drones, some aircraft and vessels designed or modified for military use, and combat drones for use by its security forces and police — unless the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions objects within five working days of receiving notification from the government.

Britain’s deputy U.N. ambassador James Kariuki said the benchmarks identified following a recent technical assessment highlighting Somalia’s progress provide "a clear roadmap … that will help this council make further changes to weapons and ammunition measures in the future."

"The steps made today will simplify processes for Somalia and its partners, and help speed up the journey," he said.

Unpacking Somalia's intensifying fight against Al-Shabab.

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The resolution keeps in place the codified arms embargo, a ban on the sale or transfer of key components of improvised explosive devices that Al-Shabaab has used, a ban on the import and export of Somali charcoal that was a key money-earner, and travel bans and asset freezes on individuals threatening peace and associated with Al-Shabaab, including by financing or facilitating its activities.

The Security Council imposed the arms embargo on Somalia in 1992 to cut the flow of weapons to feuding clan-based warlords who toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre the previous year, plunging the country into civil war. Somalia established a functioning transitional government in 2012 and has been working to rebuild stability in the face of extremist attacks and one of the worst droughts the country has experienced that has brought thousands to the brink of famine.

Somalia’s government under recently elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been engaged in a new offensive against Al-Shabaab, including efforts to shut down its financial network.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood expressed hope that the government will continue to make progress on the benchmarks, allowing for further easing of the arms embargo.

He said the sanctions regime adopted Thursday is tailored to support and enable "robust action" by the government to combat Al-Shabaab including by depriving the extremist group of its financial resources. And he urged all countries to implement sanctions and deprive Al-Shabaab of the ability to access funds and weapons.

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Somalia’s U.N. Ambassador Abukar Osman expressed "deep dissatisfaction" with the extension of the arms embargo and praised the four countries that abstained for not supporting it.

He warned that the arms embargo, which is the longest U.N. sanctions regime, is hindering efforts to rebuild the country’s security forces to counter Al-Shabaab.

The army used "a major portion" of its armaments during engagements with Al-Shabaab in the last four months, Osman said, and as a result of the arms embargo renewal, "our hands are tied in the fight against the ruthless enemy at this most critical time."

Osman said victims of Somalia’s "terrorist groups" are asking why lifting the arms embargo is a threat to international peace and security while other countries are being armed to defend their territory and people.

"This unjust and unfair double standard is preventing the government of Somalia to legally obtain military lethal equipment to rebuild its national army," he told the council.

Ambassador Martin Kimani of Kenya, whose neighboring country has also been targeted by Al-Shabaab, supported the resolution, saying the Security Council had taken "a strong stand together against terrorism."

But he also urged an end to the arms embargo.

"There is little doubt that the battlefield conduct and the determination of the Somali forces and government will in short order lead to the dropping of the embargo," Kimani said. "The partial arms embargo in Somalia cannot exist in perpetuity, as it is counterproductive and adversely affects the capability of the federal government to eradicate the existential threat posed by Al-Shabaab."