Somalia denies violation of United Nations arms embargo

The report says a key advisor to the president was involved in planning weapons deliveries to al-Shabab

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

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The Somali government has denied allegations in a United Nations report that says arms shipments to the government have been diverted to clan militias and in one case an al-Shabaab commander, Somalia's Shabelle Media Network reported Sunday (February 16th).

We are really surprised with these accusations," said Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Abdirahman Duale Beyle. "We have never sold our weapons nor misused them."

A confidential report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea, seen by AFP on Friday, found "high level and systematic abuses in weapons management and distribution" by Somali authorities.

In March 2013 the United Nations Security Council voted to partially lift the arms embargo against Somalia for one year to help the government fight al-Shabaab. Since that time, Ethiopia and Djibouti have sent several large shipments of mainly infantry weapons to Somali government forces.

But on February 6th, the co-ordinator of the UN monitors wrote to the chairman of the Security Council committee overseeing the sanctions, and recommended a reversal of the loosening of the embargo.

"However, an alternative recommendation to the committee would be to introduce, at the minimum, enhanced notification and reporting requirements, if not a partial tightening," it said.

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