UN Security Council to Vote on Extending Al-Shabaab Sanctions, Illicit Arms Imports to Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: The UN Security Council will today vote to extend sanctions on al-Shabaab and illicit arms imports to Somalia.

The resolution drafted by the UK, which is Somalia’s penholder on Somalia at the Council 2713 Al-Shabaab sanctions regime and renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts (PoE).

The resolution further renews until December 13, 2025 the authorisation for maritime interdiction to enforce the embargo on illicit arms imports, the charcoal exports ban, and the improvised explosive device (IED) components ban.

According to the 2024 report by the Panel of Experts, ‘Al-Shabaab remains the most significant threat to the peace and security of Somalia, with the capacity to carry out complex attacks against the Somali government, African Union (AU) forces, and international forces.’

The report also acknowledged a significant shift in the “strength and disposition” of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) faction in Somalia (ISIL-Somalia). This is buttressed by the ongoing offensives against ISIS in Puntland which have revealed attempts by the group to strengthen its foothold in Somalia, as attested by the presence of many foreign fighters either captured alive or killed by the Puntland forces.

Additionally, the report highlighted an increase in piracy incidents, with more than 25 attacks, including hijackings, reported on commercial vessels and dhows since 24 November 2023.

Somalia is for the first time in many years directly involved in the resolution as it sits alongside Algeria, Sierra Leone and Guyana representing Africa.