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OIC meeting in Mogadishu to reinforce end for arms embargo

Storyline:National News

The OIC Contact Group meeting in Mogadishu today will be reiterating its call for the lifting of the arms embargo against Somalia, Goobjoog News can reveal.

The ministerial conference which brings together ministers and representatives from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will be reinforcing the embargo lifting which it severally has.

“The Meeting commended the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the Somali Security Forces, the Troop and Police Contributing Countries and AMISOM for their sacrifices in the stabilization project and urged them to sustain the momentum essential to Somalia’s progress,” a draft communique seen by Goobjoog News reads. “It paid tribute to those who lost their lives and appealed to the UNSC to consider lifting fully the arms embargo imposed on Somalia in order to accelerate the building of Somalia’s capacity in the security sector. “

The UN Security Council (UNSC) imposed an arms embargo on Somalia in 1992 but has over time lessened its severity to allow Somalia restricted access to weapons for its military.

Besides condemning recent terror attacks in the country, the ministerial group will also be urging the international community to honour its commitments made during the Brussels conference in July. It will also call on member states to reopen diplomatic missions in Mogadishu.

“The Meeting congratulated the Member States which have already re-opened their diplomatic missions in Mogadishu in accordance with the conclusions of the meeting at ministerial level of the Contact Group held on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UNGA in New York and requested other Member States of OIC to reopen their diplomatic missions in Mogadishu.”

The leaders will also be hailing the ongoing diplomatic and political developments in the Horn of Africa which has seen long term political foes such as Ethiopia and Eritrea restore diplomatic relations. The meeting is also expected to hail the government for agreements regarding the electoral model in June.