Somalia on verge of getting out of UN blacklist of arms embargo

WASHINGTON, US - Somalia is on the verge of getting relief in the purchase and control of weapons, it has emerged, years after the UN Security Council slapped the country with an arms embargo following insecurity incidents and the illegal purchase of weapons which threatens peace and stability.

On Tuesday, representatives from Qatar, Somalia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America met in Washington, D.C. to discuss Somalia’s security, state-building, development, and humanitarian priorities, the US State Department reported.

According to the statement, the team expressed confidence in supporting Somalia's ongoing offensive against terror groups, particularly Al-Shabaab, which has lost significant territories in the last seven months. The teams also vowed to offer the country assistance in managing liberated towns.

Several towns have been liberated from Al-Shabaab militants in the last few months following operations by Somali National Army [SNA] with the help of US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia. To this end, the partners are now keen to have the arms embargo lifted.

"They committed to support Somalia’s efforts to meet the benchmarks on weapons and ammunition management to enable the UN Security Council to fully lift the arms controls on the Federal Government of Somalia, " read the joint statement by the participants.

"The partners encourage and support Somalia’s National Consultative Council [NCC] process in promoting political reconciliation and to delineate the roles and responsibilities of levels of government in Somalia, including by finalizing the constitution, " they noted.

Further, the partners expressed concern about the ongoing conflict in and around Lascanood and called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, de-escalate, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue. So far, the conflict has left over 105 people dead.

A number of elders in Las Anod want to be governed from Mogadishu instead of Hargeisa, leading to heavy battles involving local militia and Somaliland security forces who have been camping in the town for the last several weeks. Over 600 people have also been displaced, the UN recently said.

In addition, the team expressed concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis driven by Somalia’s worst drought on record. They welcomed support along with international actors to meet the immediate needs of the Somali people, while also strengthening Somalia’s ability to withstand future climate shocks.

Somalia is facing the worst drought in decades leaving several people on depending on foreign aid, with others also seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. The ravaging drought has also left dozens of people dead according to the UN coordination office in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE