http://www.mb.com.ph/un-tightens-rules-for-arms-deliveries-to-somalia/
UN tightens rules for arms deliveries to Somalia
by Manila Bulletin
March 6, 2014
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http://www.mb.com.ph/un-tightens-rules-for-arms-deliveries-to-somalia/?share=email&nb=1>
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to
tighten requirements for arms deliveries to Somalia's security forces after
U.N. experts accused government officials of allowing weapons and
ammunition to get into the hands of clan leaders, warlords and
al-Qaida-linked militants.
A resolution approved by the council keeps in place until Oct. 25 a partial
suspension of the U.N. arms embargo which allows the delivery of weapons
and ammunition for the sole purpose of developing the security forces "to
provide security for the Somali people."
But the Security Council is now requiring at least five days advance notice
of any deliveries including descriptions of the weapons and ammunition,
details of the manufacturer and supplier, and information on the security
unit receiving the shipment or the location it will be stored.
Somalia has been trying to establish its first functioning central
government since 1991 when warlords overthrew a longtime dictator and
turned on each other, plunging the impoverished nation into chaos.
Al-Shabab rebels were ousted from the capital, Mogadishu, in 2011 and have
been pushed out of other key cities but they are not yet defeated.
The government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, controls only small
parts of the country and is struggling to provide security and battle
corruption.
U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against Somalia and Eritrea detailed a
number of incidents in a letter last month of weapons being diverted from
the government.
In one example, the experts said they have evidence that a key adviser to
the president, from his Abgaal sub-clan, was involved in planning weapons
deliveries to a leader of Al-Shabab who is also Abgaal.
Britain's U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said "the resolution makes very
clear that the Somali authorities need to meet strict conditions on the
monitoring and reporting of arms imports into Somalia to ensure in
particular that they do not get into the hands of Al-Shabab."
Lyall Grant said Somalia's foreign minister assured him this week "that he
would be working very closely with the monitoring group to ensure that the
Somalia government fully meets its commitments."
The resolution also requires Somalia to provide written confirmation of the
completion of an arms delivery to the sanctions committee within 30 days.
By June 13, the government must also provide a detailed report to the
Security Council on the composition of the security forces and the
infrastructure to ensure safe storage and distribution of military
equipment and ammunition.
Received on Wed Mar 05 2014 - 22:13:17 EST