Army Chief: We shall monitor weapons flow to Somalia
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 03-12-2023, 05:15AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Lifting the arms embargo imposed on Somalia will come with serious responsibilities, the country's army chief has said, pledging that the Horn of Africa nation will ensure mechanisms are put in place to regulate the importation of weapons from abroad.
On Friday, Somalia was relieved following the lifting of the arms embargo by the United Nations Security Council after three decades of struggle, following the ouster of dictator Siad Barre and subsequent takeover by warlords who activated civil war.
Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin, Somalia's Chief of Defense Forces, said the country will ensure it performs its obligation by ensuring it monitors the flow of weapons to avoid possible collapse of the state, usually engineered by the unregulated flow of weapons.
"We promise that we will monitor the flow of weapons entering #Somalia and make sure not to be misused," said army chief Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin. His remarks came after the UN Security Council lifted a 31-year arms embargo on the Horn of Africa country.
Besides the top leadership, Mogadishu local leaders welcomed the move, noting that it will give the country hope as it strives to beat Al-Shabaab militants, who still control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. They lauded the council for the "landmark" move.
Mogadishu Mayor Yussuf Hussein Madalo expressed his joy and gratitude for the removal of the arms embargo, which he said was a great achievement for the Somali people and a sign of trust and confidence from the international community, state media reports.
He said the lifting of the embargo would enable the federal government and the regional administrations to acquire the necessary weapons and equipment to fight against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and secure the country.
"He also announced that there would be rallies across the Banadir region to celebrate this historic moment and to show solidarity and support for the security forces," state-owned SONNA noted.
GAROWE ONLINE
