What you may have missed in Somalia
The two recent al-Shabab attacks in Somalia pushed aside some significant security-sector related stories this month, which showcase corruption and disarray in the Somali security sector. Here is a quick recap of three stories:
Government Sponsored Arms Trafficking
- As the United Nations’ temporary ease on the arms embargo is about to expire, Reuters gained exclusive access to a leaked report from the UN’s Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group, which accuses the Somali government of arms trafficking. The Somali government denies these allegations, calling for an extension of the permit to buy arms. The United States had supported the controversial decision to partially lift the embargo, touting it as a global “recognition of the Somali government's progress.” The U.S. has not commented on these revelations.
Here are some noteworthy findings in the UN report:
o The report details how the Somali government systematically diverted weapons purchased after the UN eased an arms embargo on the country last year.
o The Somali government could not account for “shipments of weapons from Uganda and Djibouti, including assault rifles, rocket launchers, grenades and ammunition.”
o The highest leadership appears to be involved. Reuters quotes the UN as saying that “[Evidence points] to high-level and systematic abuses in weapons and ammunition management and distribution."
o Within the Somali government, the UN found two clan-based networks for arms procurement that were diverting weapons to "parallel security forces and clan militias that are not part of the Somali security forces."
o Amongst the beneficiaries of this arms trafficking was a leader of al-Shabab, writes Reuters.
o The Monitoring Group recommended restoring the full embargo, or adding stricter reporting requirements.
These findings violate the UN resolution 2093, which states that weapons and equipment "may not be resold to, transferred to, or made available for use by, any individual or entity not in the service of the security forces of the federal government of Somalia."
Despite these allegations, a senior UN diplomat admitted the UN would likely continue the suspension of the arms embargo, though with tighter conditions.
Attrition in freshly trained Somali troops?
- African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) spokesperson Colonel Ali Aden Humad gave an interview to Sabahi, the Somali press outlet sponsored by U.S. Africa Command. Among the notable points are the lack of troops and equipment, and the Colonel’s frustration with the Somali national forces:
o Colonel Humad on the challenges facings AMISOM:
- Coastal areas will need special operations and military support concerning marine operations.
- Neither AMISOM nor the Somali government have naval combat equipment.
o Colonel Humad on the number of troops needed for operations in Somalia and the discrepancy between Somali national forces trained versus active Somali troops:
- We need Somali troops that are equal in number to AMISOM troops. . . . The Somali military has to develop or additional peacekeeping troops will be needed.
- AMISOM trained many Somali soldiers and equipped some. So, the question is where have they gone? When we train them, we turn them over to the government. So, where do they go? Where are they kept?
Somali armed forces uniforms sold on markets:
- Sabahi also interviewed the commander of the Somali National Army, General Dahir Adan Elmi. Among his notable complaints is the Somali army’s lack of equipment. At one point, the general deflected criticism on the conduct of Somali troops with the argument that any person can buy a Somali uniform:
o General Elmi on the lack of weapons and equipment:
We have good equipment to start with, but we do not have all the equipment an army needs such as heavy weapons including tanks, planes, ships and other equipment made for the military.
o General Elmi’s response against allegation of uniformed military personnel erecting checkpoints on Somali roads:
That issue exists, but it is not exactly as it is being portrayed. Military uniforms are sold [illegally] in the markets. If any person who is dressed like a soldier causes problems, it cannot be blamed on the military.