http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/uk-somalia-arms-un-idUKBREA1I25O20140219
U.N. may extend eased Somalia arms embargo despite concerns - diplomats
By Michelle Nichols<
http://blogs.reuters.com/search/journalist.php?edition=uk&n=michelle.nichols&>and
Louis
Charbonneau<
http://blogs.reuters.com/search/journalist.php?edition=uk&n=louis.charbonneau&>
UNITED NATIONS Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:10pm GMT
(Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council is unlikely to fully restore a
decades-old arms embargo on Somalia, despite concerns about the possible
diversion of weapons to al Qaeda-linked militants, but may extend eased
restrictions on government purchases, diplomats said.
A year ago, the 15-member council agreed to partially lift the arms embargo
on Somalia, allowing the government in Mogadishu to buy light weapons to
strengthen its security forces to fight Islamist groups.
However, a confidential U.N. monitors' report obtained by Reuters last
week, warned of "systematic abuses" by Somalia's government - which the
monitors say has allowed the diversion of weapons that Somali authorities
purchased after the Security Council eased the arms embargo last year.
"Given the concerns about the way the suspension has been operated, we're
thinking of ... continuing the suspension but for a more limited period
with some very strict criteria," said a senior U.N. diplomat, speaking on
condition of anonymity.
The eased restrictions are due to expire early next month. Instead of
extending the move for another year, it may only be renewed until the end
of October, which is when U.N. experts - who monitor the embargo and other
sanctions on Somalia and Eritrea - are due to report to council on any
violations.
"This is not because the international community thinks the Somali
government is doing a good job in keeping track of its weapons. On the
contrary," said a diplomatic source, adding that new conditions on the
government could include further notification and reporting requirements on
arms purchases.
The U.N. Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group recommended in its
confidential report to the Security Council's sanctions committees last
week that either the full arms embargo be restored or at least notification
and reporting requirements related to arms deliveries be tightened.
'FINAL WARNING'
Somalia's government last year had asked for the arms embargo to be fully
removed and the United States supported that, but other Security Council
members were wary of doing that in a country already awash with weapons,
diplomats said.
The senior diplomat said some Security Council members might "argue that
(Somalia's government) had their chance and they blew it and we should
re-impose the arms embargo." But he said a shorter extension of the eased
restrictions, with tighter conditions, could be seen as a "final warning."
The Security Council imposed the embargo on Somalia in 1992 to cut the flow
of weapons to feuding warlords, who a year earlier had ousted dictator
Mohamed Siad Barre and plunged the country into civil war. Somalia held its
first vote since 1991 in 2012 to elect a president and prime minister.
The eased restrictions allow sales to the government of such weapons as
automatic assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, but leave in place
a ban on surface-to-air missiles, large-calibre guns, howitzers, cannons
and mortars as well as anti-tank guided weapons, mines and night-vision
weapon sights.
The U.N. resolution last year said weapons and equipment "may not be resold
to, transferred to, or made available for use by, any individual or entity
not in the service of the security forces of the federal government of
Somalia."
It asked the Somalia government to report regularly on the structure of the
security forces and the infrastructure and procedures in place to ensure
safe storage, maintenance and distribution of military equipment.
There is a 17,600-strong African Union peacekeeping force and a U.N.
political mission in the Horn of Africa country.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Gunna Dickson)
Received on Wed Feb 19 2014 - 22:40:49 EST