Security Council should lift arms embargo against Somalia, its Transitional President says

The President of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government today urged a lifting of the arms embargo against his country, arguing before the General Assembly that sanctions targeted at individuals would do more to foster peace and stability in the war-ravaged nation.

“The embargo directly undermines the Government's inherent right and genuine effort of forming its national security force that would protect the public and keep the peace by enforcing the law and order throughout Somalia,” said President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. “In addition it discourages willing friendly countries from offering their help to Somalia, especially in the areas of security and the rule of law.”

Calling on the Security Council to review and ultimately lift the arms embargo, he said: “It does not make any sense to the rational mind to help Somalis reach a comprehensive political settlement for their long conflict, while at the same time denying them the ability to build the institutions through which they would overcome the lawlessness in their country.”

In place of the embargo, he called on the UN to establish “punitive and targeted sanctions against those who may opt to spoil Somalia's chance to a lasting peace.”

He also urged the international community to provide the necessary financial and political support for the Government, stressing that Somalia needed help to implement the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes (DDR) and tackle other security concerns.