MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations Abukar Osman has accused the Security Council of double standards after it extended three decades-long embargo on the Horn of Africa nation.
The council voted on Thursday to maintain the arms embargo on Somalia despite the federal government’s dissatisfaction, saying Al-Shabaab still seriously threatens peace and stability in the region. The resolution was approved by a vote of 11-0, with Russia, China, Gabon and Ghana abstaining in support of the Somali government’s request.
Osman said the arms embargo is crippling efforts to rebuild Somalia’s national army to defeat the Al-Qaeda-aligned Al-Shabaab militants. He told the council that the army used “a major portion” of its armament during recent engagements with insurgents and because of the renewal of arms embargo “our hands are tied in the fight against the ruthless enemy at this most critical time.”
“This unjust and unfair double standard is preventing the government of Somalia to legally obtain military lethal equipment to rebuild its national army,” he told the UNSC.
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