Now, leaders in the Horn of Africa demand that the United Nations lift its current arms embargo on Somalia, allowing President Hassan Mohamud’s government to better equip its military for the fight against terrorism.
President William Ruto, his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a communiqué on Wednesday that the Somalia Federal Government had demonstrated its ability to control arms proliferation within its borders. They stated, “Following deliberations, the Summit Commends the advancement made on developing capabilities in managing the weapons and ammunitions regime and endorses Somalia’s goal of lifting the arms embargo completely by the end of 2023.”
In January 1992, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed an open-ended arms embargo on Somalia. In February 2007, the embargo was partially modified to permit arms supplies to the Somali Government Forces.
The leaders acknowledged the necessity of obtaining regional support for prompt and decisive operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization, stating that security personnel who are well-equipped are better able to combat Shabaab. According to a portion of the Communique, “The Summit welcomes the request by the Somali Government to obtain both lethal and non-lethal support to equip the newly-created Somali National Army (SNA) units and to enhance the firepower capabilities of current SNA operational units.” They also asked their international partners to help Somalia stabilize the newly liberated areas to make it easier for the federal government to provide better services and expand its power.
The leaders agreed to jointly plan and organize a robust operational campaign at the frontline states level targeting key strategic Al-Shabaab strongholds in south and central Somalia and emphasized the need to consolidate and build upon the existing Somali Transition Plan/Troop Contributing Countries efforts in Somali. They stated, “The time-sensitive campaign will prevent any future elements from infiltrating the larger region.”
In addition, the leaders emphasized the significance of establishing a joint border security mechanism to stop cross-border terrorism and guarantee the legal flow of trade and movement. President Hassan Mohamud has launched a significant offensive against the Shabaab militants since taking office in May of last year. This offensive has resulted in the retaking of portions of Somalia from the terrorists.
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