Ethiopia strengthening Al-Shabaab through weapon smuggling, Somalia says

NEW YORK, USA - Somalia has yet again accused Ethiopia of fueling destabilisation in the country, arguing that Addis Ababa has persistently supported the smuggling of weapons and other arms to the country, a strategy that has worked in favour of Al-Shabaab.

Abukar Osman, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, maintained that Ethiopia is solely responsible for fueling clan conflicts and strengthening Al-Shabaab, noting that weapon smuggling has become rampant.

While Somalia successfully lifted an arms embargo by the United Nations, the lack of a legal framework for possessing weapons has made it extremely difficult for the government to regulate ownership. Several weapons are delivered from neighbouring countries.

He accused the UN Security Council of adding tension between the two nations. Last month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also made a similar claim, arguing that tensions between the two countries were a catalyst for the Al-Shabaab surge.

A few weeks ago, a cache of weapons was seized in central regions and they were all traced to Ethiopia. The arms ended up in the hands of tribal militia, leading to a confrontation with the Somali National Army (SNA), a confrontation which left several people dead.

Ethiopia is embroiled in a controversy with Somalia following its illegal deal with Somaliland. Ethiopia wants access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move which has irked Somalia.

Somalia’s accusation against Ethiopia emerges as weapons allegedly smuggled from Ethiopia are linked to Somali politicians with ties to Villa Somalia. The allegations can not be independently verified though despite the links..

Abukar also mentioned the upcoming peacekeeping mission in Somalia which shall replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The new mission, AUSSOM, will be driven by Egypt and Djibouti according to Somalia officials.

"While we welcome input for the next security arrangements post ATMIS from key partners, we also want to underscore that the formation of the next mission should be guided by the needs and aspirations of the Somalis," Osman said.

GAROWE ONLINE