Smuggled weapons seized in Galmudug prompt Somalia to ban non-state arms trade

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Friday July 19, 2024

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on July 18, 2024 after weapons were smuggled into the country on July 15. / Photo: Reuters

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has announced a total ban on the "trade, smuggling, and any other business related to weapons and ammunition within the country by non-state actors" after a cache of smuggled weapons was intercepted in Galmudug on Monday.

The weapons, reportedly smuggled by "unscrupulous arms dealers" from a town near the Ethiopian border, were seized by Somali security forces. During the operation, armed militants attacked the officers and stole an unknown number of firearms.

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In response, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday. The council instructed the Ministry of Internal Security and other security agencies to submit a detailed report within two weeks. This report is expected to identify those responsible for the smuggling incident and propose strict measures to prevent future occurrences.

The council also agreed to present the Weapons Procurement Policy to the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia. The Ministry of Justice and law enforcement agencies were also directed to "swiftly bring all the perpetrators involved in these illegal activities to justice."

President Mohamud noted that Somalia had successfully petitioned the UN Security Council to lift a three-decade arms embargo after demonstrating effective management of military supplies and arms for the Somali National Security Forces. He cautioned that poor arms management could reverse Somalia's progress in recent years.

On Tuesday, the Somali government stated that the illegal arms trade significantly contributes to insecurity in the country, where the terrorist group al-Shabaab remains a major threat. "We are resolute in our mission to reclaim the stolen weapons and will impose severe punitive measures on those complicit in this brazen violence," the government declared following the Galmudug incident.

Al-Shabaab has conducted numerous attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries, killing thousands over the years. However, the group's influence has waned recently due to a large-scale operation by Somali and regional security forces.

The government's new measures aim to enhance security by curbing the illegal arms trade and improving oversight of weapons management. As Somalia continues to fight the al-Shabaab threat, these actions are crucial to maintaining the nation's hard-earned progress in security and stability.

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