Somalia says UN arms embargo impedes efforts to build army
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – The government in Somalia said Friday that the UN Security Council’s army embargo extension impedes the nation’s efforts to rebuild its national army and security forces to counter terror threats.
Mogadishu urged the UN to “seriously consider” the Africa Union Peace & Security Communique in July that called for the urgent lifting of the embargo.
The Somali permanent representative to the UN, Abukar Dahir Osman, described the extension as “unjust and unfair double standards.”
He said the embargo has prevented the government for decades from legally obtaining military lethal equipment to rebuild its national army.
Somalia is currently at war with al-Shabaab, which has increased attacks since new President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud announced a total war against the group.
The group has been waging war against the government and the African Union peacekeeping mission force in Somalia since 2007.
Abdi Isack, an independent analyst based in Mogadishu, told Anadolu Agency that if the embargo is not lifted, the government may not be able to liberate the country from terrorists because both sides have similar weapons.
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