- In 2006, Al-Shabaab began a brutal insurgency against a succession of fragile central governments to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
- Many welcomed the decision, but they were also some dissenting voices who think Somalia is not ready to manage more weapons.
Image: FILE
The United Nations has lifted a 32-year-old arms embargo on Somalia supposedly to allow its western-backed government to re-equip and modernise its armed forces to eliminate the Al-Shabaab terrorist organisation, al-Qaeda’s wealthiest affiliate.
Last Friday’s decision by the UN Security Council was welcomed by the Somali government’s key allies, Britain and the United States, but has also alarmed critics who fear it could see a new influx of modern weaponry into the Horn of Africa, an area already awash with conflicts and illicit arms.
The embargo on Somalia was first imposed in 1992 to cut the flow of weapons to feuding warlords, who had ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and plunged the Horn of Africa country into civil war.
In 2006, Al-Shabaab began a brutal insurgency against a succession of fragile central governments to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
It also conducted attacks in neighbouring Kenya, including an attack in 2013 on the Westgate shopping mall in which 68 people were killed.
At the same time as lifting the embargo on arms deliveries to the government, the 15-member body adopted a second British-drafted resolution reimposing a total arms ban on al-Shabaab which still controls large swathes of the country and levies taxes on local people.
Both resolutions won 14 votes. France abstained.
In an address to the nation, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the lifting of the embargo would give the government an opportunity to import much needed sophisticated weaponry to defend the country and defeat the terrorists once and for all.
“Today, I wish to tell the Somali public that the arms embargo has been lifted from our country. From today, depending on our ability, we are free to buy any weapons we want from the world,” President Mohamud said.
He said the decision to lift the arms embargo was a recognition of his government’s commitment in respecting international law and adopting policies to control the use and trade of weapons.
Al-Shabaab fighters often overrun remote Somali army bases and make off with the weapons and other equipment.
The President, who was initially elected in 2016, has vowed to have eliminated the terrorist group by the end of his second term in 2024 – the same date by which an 18,500-strong African Union peacekeeping force is also due to have left the country.
“We will defeat our enemies in all their forms and manifestations, and we will take care of our people's safety and country’s security,” he asserted again in a television address after the vote.
There was mixed reaction from ordinary people and government officials across Somalia.
Many welcomed the decision, but they were also some dissenting voices who think Somalia is not ready to manage more weapons.
Sahal Bare, a resident of the port city of Kismayo – now heavily controlled by the Kenyan contingent of the AU force – voiced the thoughts of many when he said he doubted the government’s capacity to control arms.
“I am worried now that the arms embargo has been lifted heavy weapons might fall into the wrong hands of tribal militias and Al-Shabaab. The government must keep records and tighten arms control,” he said.