Puntland’s Minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Said Juha, has called for the reinstatement of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, expressing concerns over the misuse of weapons and escalating regional tensions under the federal government.
In a statement from Garowe, Juha accused the federal government of redirecting arms intended for combating Al-Shabaab towards internal political conflicts, particularly in regions like Jubbaland.
He described the deployment of federal forces to Raaskambooni in Jubbaland as an attempt to destabilize the semi-autonomous regional government, undermining the federal system and national unity.
Juha also raised concerns about the federal government’s use of drones, which were procured to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities.
He claimed that the lack of clear regulations governing drone operations poses significant risks to civilians and the country’s fragile security framework.
The UN Security Council lifted the arms embargo on Somalia in December 2023, ending more than 30 years of restrictions to allow the federal government to strengthen its military capabilities against Al-Shabaab and to prepare for the withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers, scheduled for December 2024.
However, Juha argues that the removal of the embargo has exacerbated security risks and political instability, citing incidents of arms smuggling and the inconsistent enforcement of arms control measures.
He emphasized that the misuse of military resources intended for national security to settle political scores is reckless and dangerous.
In July 2024, similar concerns were raised when Puntland called for the reinstatement of the arms embargo, highlighting the potential for civil war due to the misuse of weapons supplied to the federal government.
The call for reinstating the embargo underscores the ongoing challenges Somalia faces in managing its security apparatus and the complexities of its federal system.
International observers have expressed concerns about the proliferation of arms in Somalia, emphasizing the need for accountability and proper weapons management to ensure stability in the region.