Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud has announced that the UN Security Council arms embargo on Somalia will be lifted next month.
Mahamud told parliamentarians that his government was committed to achieving five national targets.
“We had five national targets this year including liberating the country from al-Shabaab, removal of the arms embargo, admission t o the East Africa Community (EAC) and debt relief and the arms embargo will be lifted earlier next month,” Mahamud told lawmakers on Saturday.
During a visit to Somalia in April, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to the international community to support Somalia to deal with the impact of insecurity and draught.
Experts said the removal of the arms embargo and its effect will likely be more reputational than anything.
'Confidence in Somalia'
Omar Mahmood, International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Eastern Africa, told Anadolu news agency that the president’s remarks regarding the arms embargo signal international confidence in Somalia.
“It signals international confidence in the Somali government’s progress on weapons and ammunition management at a technical level, but at the same time the war against Al-Shabaab has flagged for a number of reasons unrelated to weaponry,” he said.
The Security Council extended the embargo to November 15, 2023, citing the continued threat of the al-Shabaab terror group to the region's peace and stability.
The embargo has been in effect since 1992 to cut off the flow of weapons to the country after it was dragged into a civil war.
Attractive destination
“The lifted UN arms embargo on Somalia brings significant benefits, including improved stability, heightened counterterrorism capabilities, and a more stable, peaceful Somalia which will be a favorable environment for rebuilding and humanitarian efforts in the country,” Mohamed Husein Gaas, director of the Raad Peace Research Institute in Mogadishu, told Anadolu.
He said it would be a vital step in Somalia reclaiming its sovereignty and “fostering better and more robust diplomatic relations.”
“Additionally, a secure Somalia will become an attractive destination for foreign investment, driving economic development and infrastructure rebuilding. The government's strengthened security measures not only enhance legitimacy but also contribute to improved governance and the rule of l aw,” he added.
