Hassan Sheikh: I expect UN to lift decades-long arms embargo on Somalia

MOGADISHU (GO) - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says he expects the United Nations Security Council to lift decades-long arms embargo imposed on Somalia, noting that such a move will strengthen the country's quest to defeat Al-Shabaab militants.

For the last 12 months, the Somali National Army [SNA], with assistance from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops, have been conducting the fight against Al-Shabaab, mostly focusing on central and southern regions.

At parliament on Saturday, Hassan Sheikh maintained that lifting of arms embargo will help Somalia to purchase modern weapons which the national army can use in fighting Al-Shabaab militants. In previous outings, Hassan Sheikh has been making the request.

The president emphasized that time has come for the country to be liberated from the Al-Shabaab militants, who are still dominant in Central and Southern regions. The national army, he said, hand the capacity to tackle the militants and reclaim more territories.

"Time has come for Somalia to liberate many areas from Al-Shabaab militants across the country , relying on own army," said President Hassan Sheikh in his speech at the opening of 4th Parliament session on Saturday.

The government is set to activate the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in Jubaland and Southwest states, with Hassan Sheikh recently convincing the United Nations to grant technical pause of withdrawal of ATMIS troops from various frontlines.

ATMIS troops, whose number is around 19,000 presently, are set to completely withdraw from the Horn of Africa nation by December 2024. However, Hassan Sheikh feels that the troops should stay a little longer before they hand over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army.

With intense training, Hassan Sheikh said, the army will be ready to handle sophisticated equipment which can help them completely smash Al-Shabaab militants in various frontlines. Already, the group has lost several strategic towns across the country.

During the address, Hassan Sheikh also emphasized the milestone Somalia has made in d debt relief from international creditors within the first two weeks of December, 2023. Somalia has been pushing for stability for the last 30 years after the collapse of military regime of Said Barre.

GaroweOnline.