Chair of UN sanctions committee urges compliance with Somalia arms embargo

The Chairman of the Security Council sanctions committee on Somalia today urged all Member States and international organizations and entities to adhere to the arms embargo against the country.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing in New York, Ambassador Noureddine Mejdoub of Tunisia recalled that in January, the Council had issued a Presidential Statement reiterating “to all States their obligation to comply with the measures imposed by resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992 and urges each State to take the necessary steps to ensure full implementation and enforcement of the arms embargo.” That resolution aimed to promote stability and peace in Somalia by banning the sale of all weapons and military equipment to the country.

He further recalled that the text had strongly condemned the illegal supply of weapons to recipients in Somalia. “It reiterates its call upon all States, the United Nations and other international organizations and entities to report to the Committee established by resolution 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992 information on possible violations of the arms embargo,” Mr. Mejdoub stated.

The Chairman said that while he had no information on individuals or countries involved in illegal arms supplies to Somalia, “obviously it does exist, because the practice is still there.”