afrol News, 16 December - There are still "widespread violations of the arms embargo" against Somalia, threatening the transition to peace and democracy in the country, according to the UN. The new Somali authorities still reside in Kenya due to the deteriorating security situation in Mogadishu.
The UN Security Council again today voiced its strong concern over the continued smuggling of arms to Somalia. Current Security Council President Abdallah Baali of Algeria told the press that the Council was "deeply concerned" by reports that widespread violations of the arms embargo continue.
The Council had a closed-door briefing regarding the security situation in Somalia, a country that has not had a regular central government since 1991. The armed hostilities between a large number of Somali clans and sub-clans seems to find no end despite years of a UN arms embargo and a recently ended two-year peace process in Kenya, producing a Somali parliament and an elected President.
Soon after the election of President Abdullah Yusuf by the transitional parliament, optimism regarding a peaceful future in Mogadishu was reflected in the lowering prices on illegal arms. People were confident and the arms market in the Somali capital seemed to collapse.
New insecurity over the last month however has led to a renewed market for illegal arms, as reflected by the Security Council's concerns. Only this month, around 100 people have been killed in fighting between sub-clans over land rights in central Somalia. This is the most serious ceasefire break since President Yusuf was installed in Kenya.
There are further causes for rising insecurity in Somalia. The new authorities were expected home already last month but now indicate it will still take several months before it dears moving to Mogadishu. The Somali leadership's lack of confidence in security in Mogadishu of course has not been a positive signal to city dwellers.
Instability in the Somali political process in Kenya further contributes to a declining confidence in the new Somali authorities. The government of Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi was ousted by parliament only 12 days after being installed. Mr Ghedi is now waiting for an approval by the Somali MPs to form a new government.
With the deteriorating security in Somalia and declining confidence in future stability, the illegal arms market in Mogadishu is revitalised. This again has stimulated the illegal flow of weapons into Somalia, which in turn will make it more difficult for the new government to secure peace in the country when it returns to Mogadishu.
The UN Security Council, which for years has failed to implement the arms embargo against Somalia forcefully, now again urges the world's states to help it enforce the arms embargo. All countries concerned should take "robust action to implement the arms embargo," said Mr Baali. He added that the Council would consider "what further steps might be needed" to stop weapons trafficking in Somalia.
By staff writer
© afrol News