The United Nations Security Council extended its sanctions regime on Somalia on Friday, including an arms embargo, through Resolution 2662 (2022). Adopted with 11 votes in favour and four abstentions from China, Gabon, Ghana, and the Russian Federation, the resolution continues to manage the flow of weapons into Somalia. It also aims to impede illicit imports of firearms and exports of charcoal and improvised explosive device components.
The resolution emphasizes the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, underscoring the importance of targeted sanctions and efforts to disrupt the militant group’s operations and finances. Notably, the embargo, initially aimed at preventing unauthorized weapon deliveries, includes exemptions for national security and police institutions. It also allows specific allowances for United Nations and African Union missions, along with certain States and international organizations involved in anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast.
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While acknowledging Somalia’s progress in weapon and stockpile management, the Somali government strongly opposes the continuation of the embargo. In place since 1992, the government argues that the blockade significantly hampers its efforts to build a capable national security force necessary to counter Al-Shabaab effectively. Somalia emphasizes the need to lift the embargo to address the arms capability imbalance between its national forces and Al-Shabaab, which it views as a major obstacle to achieving long-term regional stability and security.
The African Union supports lifting the embargo, aligning with Somalia’s security reform efforts. This stance is echoed by various international actors, who recognize the challenges Somalia faces in consolidating security gains in areas liberated from Al-Shabaab.
In addition to addressing security concerns, the resolution also focuses on state-building and peacebuilding efforts in Somalia. It commends cooperation in implementing the Somalia Transition Plan and the National Security Architecture. A planned framework, based on technical assessments of Somalia’s weapons management capabilities and recommendations from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to support security sector reform.
The resolution reaffirms that sanctions do not impede the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia. Additionally, the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Somalia has been extended until December 15, 2023, with a specific emphasis on including gender expertise in its investigations.
Security Council members highlighted the complex dynamics and varying perspectives regarding Somalia’s ongoing challenges. While countries like the United Kingdom and the United States supported the resolution, others, including China and Ghana, expressed reservations, advocating for a total lifting of the arms embargo.
