President Mohamud Summons National Security Council to Address Illicit Weapons Incident in Galguduud

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal government of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Thursday convened a National Security Council extra-ordinary meeting to address the recent weapons incident in Galgaduud region.

During the meeting, government’s National Security advisor presented a report by security agencies regarding the illicit weapons smuggled and seized by armed militias in the northern Galguduud.

The council at the same time passed resolutions that will see the Central Monitoring Department (CMD) at the Office of the National Security Advisor to continue serving as an integral institution which addresses the pressing need for oversight and responsible weapons and ammunition management across Somalia.

Also, the council directed that the Ministry of Internal Security in collaboration with the other security agencies submits a detailed report and recommendations within two weeks concerning the incident, identifying those responsible, and proposing strict measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A total ban on trade and smuggling and any other business related to weapons and ammunitions within the country by non-state actors was imposed by the council in accordance within the existing legal frameworks.

Further, the council agreed to urgently present the Weapons Procurement Policy to the Council of Ministers of the federal government of Somalia and also, the ministry of Justice and law enforcement authorities were tasked to swiftly bring all the perpetrators involved in these illegal activities to justice.

President Mohamud emphasized the critical importance of strictly implementing the Arms and Ammunition Control Procedures in Somalia adding that the success in lifting the arms embargo was fundamentally contingent upon the effective implementation of the management of military supplies and arms for the Somali National Security Forces.