The United Nations Security Council has unanimously extended its sanctions regime against Al-Shabaab, including measures to intercept illegal arms shipments and charcoal exports to and from Somalia. The resolution, adopted as Resolution 2776 (2025) under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, prolongs these restrictions until December 13, 2025, while renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring the sanctions until January 13, 2026.
The 15-member Council reaffirmed its commitment to preventing Al-Shabaab and other destabilizing actors from obtaining weapons and ammunition, explicitly mandating that all UN member states take necessary actions to block deliveries of military supplies to Somalia. However, the resolution maintains an exemption for Somalia’s government forces, including the Somali National Army, National Intelligence and Security Agency, National Police Force, and Custodial Corps.
Several Security Council members voiced support for the resolution while highlighting the need to assess its effectiveness. Speaking on behalf of Guyana, Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia, Guyana’s representative emphasized the importance of these sanctions in combating Al-Shabaab but urged a review to determine if the measures adequately support Somalia’s efforts.
In response, the resolution mandates the UN Secretary-General to assess the arms embargo and submit a report by November 1, 2025, with the Council planning to review the sanctions regime based on the findings.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the growing flow of weapons from Yemen to Al-Shabaab. The United Kingdom, which championed the resolution, described the sanctions as a “powerful package” aimed at disrupting Al-Shabaab’s finances and international networks. The UK delegate also warned that Al-Shabaab’s ties with Yemen’s Houthi rebels were part of a broader pattern of destabilization.
Echoing these concerns, the United States and France stressed the need to prevent Al-Shabaab from exploiting ties with sanctioned groups in the region. The US representative urged dialogue among regional actors to cut off financial and logistical links between Al-Shabaab and the Houthis, arguing that fully enforcing the resolution would curb the group’s ability to acquire weapons and funds.
However, Russia pushed back against linking the Yemen conflict to Somalia’s situation, insisting that the issue should be handled separately. Despite this, Russia welcomed the upcoming review of the long-standing 1992 sanctions and the emphasis on preventing non-state actors from acquiring arms.
Pakistan’s representative underscored the need for a united international and regional effort to disrupt Al-Shabaab’s capabilities, stressing that economic development and humanitarian support were crucial in addressing the root causes of terrorism.
With the resolution in place, the Security Council remains focused on ensuring Somalia’s stability while curbing Al-Shabaab’s influence and financial networks. The upcoming November 2025 assessment of the sanctions regime is expected to shape future decisions on Somalia’s counterterrorism strategy.
