 Somalia's Foreign minister Mr. Abdirahman Beyle has denied reports from the U.N monitoring group alleging the government to have diverted arms to a militant group and clans.
The experts revealed that weapons shipments to the government regularly fall into the hands of the Islamist militant group al-Shabab and some clans. Some of the weapons are also sold in open markets in the capital, the report alleged, adding that they obtained evidences such as documentaries.
''We are really surprised with this accusations; we have never sold out weapons nor misused them.'' Said Mr. Beyle.
| How could we ever think such a thing? |
Last year, the UN Security Council voted to ease sanctions partially on arms embargo against Somalia which was existing since the overthrow of the Military government led by Siad Barre. The sanction was adopted in 1992 in reaction to the ongoing conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation by that time.
The experts called for another full arms embargo sanction when the one year partial lift expires next month or an alternative that the government must be subjected to enhance notification and reporting requirements for arms deliveries. |