Mogadishu: The briefing to the Security Council by Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Chair of the Security Council Committee concerning Al-Shabaab, highlighted several key developments and ongoing challenges in Somalia. The partial lifting of the arms embargo, initially imposed by resolution 2713 (2023), signifies recognition of progress made by the Somali government and its national armed forces in managing weapons and ammunition. This lifting does not extend to Somalia’s federal member states, regional governments, or licensed private security companies, which still operate under certain restrictions.
According to EMM/UN,The Committee has been actively engaging in consultations and has considered various reports and recommendations, especially concerning Al-Shabaab’s ongoing threat, financial operations, and the ISIL faction in Puntland. The Panel of Experts has provided a comprehensive mid-term update, detailing these issues and the Somali government’s efforts in weapons management. The Committee is currently deliberating on 15 recommendations from the Panel’s final report, which covers a broad range of issues including Al-Shabaab’s use of improvised explosive devices and the implementation of international humanitarian law.
Discussions with UN agencies such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have focused on the humanitarian situation and the implementation of sanctions and resolutions aimed at disrupting Al-Shabaab’s finances and preventing piracy. The humanitarian exemption established by resolution 2664 (2022) remains a crucial tool to ensure aid delivery without breaching sanctions.
The addition of three individuals to the sanctions list and the notifications received about restrictions on components for improvised explosive devices reflect ongoing efforts to tighten controls and prevent further destabilization in the region. The Committee continues to monitor these developments closely to adapt and respond to the evolving situation in Somalia.