UN Lifts Somalia Arms Embargo, Raising Proliferation Fears
CISR
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(Global Initiative) In 2023, the UN lifted its arms embargo on the Somali government after over 30 years, raising concerns about increased weapon proliferation in an already unstable region. Somalia has a significant illicit arms market, with various groups, including militant factions linked to al-Shabaab and ISIS, heavily involved. Despite the lift, sanctions on al-Shabaab remain. The embargo was initially established to curb arms flow during Somalia's civil war.
The lift aims to bolster Somalia’s security forces, though concerns about the government's capacity to manage and secure arms persist. Issues include inadequate storage facilities, potential corruption, and porous borders, all of which could exacerbate arms trafficking and regional instability. Effective border control and arms regulation are crucial to mitigate these risks.
