From UN Arms Embargo to Chaos: Sophisticated Weapons Fall into Civilian Hands in Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - The lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia by the UN Security Council in December 2023 has taken a dark twist. Just months after the embargo was lifted, a convoy carrying light and sophisticated weapons was ambushed in central Somalia on Monday, July 15, resulting in the weapons falling into the hands of armed militias.

This has raised serious concerns about the proliferation of weapons in the region and the potential for these weapons to end up in the wrong hands.

The Two-truck convoy, which was reportedly carrying weapons from neighboring Ethiopia, was ambushed near the town of Abudwaq in the Galgadud region. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least five people, both from the convoy security escorts and the attacking militia. Eyewitnesses reported that the weapons, which included machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades, were looted by the militia.

The fall of the weapons into the hands of civilians has sparked outrage and concern among experts and analysts, who warn that the proliferation of weapons in Somalia could have serious consequences for the region. Some have even gone as far as to call the lifting of the arms embargo a "big strategic mistake."

"It’s a grave mistake to lift the arms embargo on a country without a unified legal and political government. A nation that cannot secure its borders or govern its territories; where its people are not in agreement. The incident on 15/7/2024 in Shiilomadow and Caabudwaaq, involving Intelligence Agency forces crossing from Ethiopia with arms, poses a significant threat to regional stability and peace among Somalis. Under the current Somali government, clan conflicts and mistrust have only increased," said the Puntland state of Somalia.

The Somali government has acknowledged the incident and stated that the weapons were "illegal" and were being transported by government forces. However, the incident has raised questions about the government's ability to manage and secure weapons coming into the country.

The lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia was intended to allow the government to confront security threats and build up its national forces. However, the recent incident has cast doubt on the effectiveness of this strategy and the ability of the government to control the flow of weapons in the country.

As the situation in Somalia continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the lifting of the arms embargo has had unintended consequences, and the proliferation of weapons in Somalia is a serious concern that must be addressed.

GAROWE ONLINE