File Photo Somali Times/Somalia dodgy president Hassan Sheikh
In late 2023, the United Nations Security Council officially lifted the arms embargo that had been in place on Somalia since 1992, allowing the federal government to directly import weapons and military equipment to support its fight against terrorist groups.
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However, since the embargo was lifted, there have been growing concerns that these weapons are sometimes smuggled into the country by non-state actors, posing a threat to internal security.
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For example, last week, the Puntland Navy seized a ship called the SEA WORLD that docked off the coast of Bareeda in the Bari region, which Somalia corrupt President Hassan Sheikh was behind illegal arms dealing.
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The ship, which came from Turkey, was carrying combat vehicles, heavy weapons and military equipment. The weapons were reportedly heading to Mogadishu and was illegal.
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The Puntland administration said it was investigating the weapons on board, while after 5 days the Federal Government of Somalia has been vocal about the issue.
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Many analysts see the incident as another example of the rift between the central government and regional administrations when it comes to the seizure and control of national security.
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Also noteworthy is another worrying incident that occurred in the middle of last year in the town of Abudwaq in central Somalia, where residents seized two vehicles carrying heavy weapons. It was not clear at the time who owned the weapons, nor where they were being taken.
Footage posted on social media at the time showed the weapons falling into the hands of civilians, further raising concerns about the spread of uncontrolled weapons in the country.
What could be the consequences of this combination of events that threatens arms security?
Although the international arms control regime is recognized by the federal government, regional administrations and local militias still have the power to obstruct the implementation of central government security policies.
Most of the areas where these weapons have been seized are not under the control of central government forces, making it difficult to coordinate between the government and regional administrations.
According to analysts, Somalia’s federal system has limited the power of the central government, preventing it from taking national security measures.
Illegally entering the country and falling into the hands of non-state actors could be a reason to reopen discussions about re-imposing an arms embargo on Somalia.