GAROWE (KAAB TV) – Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland has called for the UN Security Council to reimpose the arms embargo on Somalia as concerns grow over the proliferation of illicit arms in central Somalia.
On Monday, the Marehan clan militia in central Somalia intercepted the largest ever cache of weapons and ammunition entering Somalia from the Ethiopian border.
The two truckloads contained thousands of rocket-propelled grenades, PK machine guns, DShK anti-aircraft guns, mortars, AK-47 rifles, sniper guns, pistols, and a significant amount of ammunition.
Clan elders and local officials in Abudwaq, part of Galmudug State, revealed that the militia seized the weapons from Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) agents escorting the illicit shipment. Abdi Farah Said, the interior minister of Puntland, expressed concern.
“With a weak central government and no credible institutions, Somalia lacks mechanisms to track arms in the country that’s effectively been at war for more than three decades and this will only increase the security threat within Somalia and in the region. Lifting the arms embargo on Somalia was a big mistake. This fuels clan conflicts and erodes trust. Time to reconsider,” said Minister Abdi Farah Said (popularly known as Juxa).
“We need that decision by the UN to be reconsidered.”
Meanwhile, Galmudug State, another Somali federal member state, called for immediate action against the individuals involved in the trafficking and sale of illicit arms.
“The government of Galmudug informs the judiciary and law enforcement agencies that have already started investigating those behind the smuggling of these weapons to cooperate with the federal agencies to bring justice to those involved in this heinous act,” said a statement released by President Ahmed Abdi Karie Qoorqoor’s office.
Somalia Government spokesman Farhan Jimale declined to comment.
However, a key obstacle remains: the main perpetrators are President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s allies, making any accountability difficult.