Somalia bans trading in weapons

Abdi Hajji Hussein
Mogadishu, Somalia
June 1, 2011

The interim federal government of Somalia on Tuesday banned trading in weapons.

While the government controls only half of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, the minister of interior and home security of the transitional government, Abshakur Sheikh Hassan Farah, said his government will take strict action against anyone seen trading in weapons.

“Right now, we [are] sending a warning message for all businessmen who are involved in weapon trade…The government would no longer tolerate harmful business. Our people are dying, injuring and displacing because of that,” Farah told reporters in a news conference.

The minister also warned government soldiers against carrying their assault rifles in the populated areas after returning from Mogadishu battle zones.

Farah noted that business sectors should register their weapons with the ministry of interior.

The trading ban comes on the heels of a deadly suicide attack on African Union peacekeepers and Somali forces in Mogadishu. Two African Union peacekeepers and a Somali soldier have been confirmed dead and four others injured Monday afternoon after Al Qaeda-inspired militants disguised as Somali soldiers attacked a military base in the capital.

It is not known how this ban from Somalia’s fragile government will take affect, as the government has failed to stamp its authority over the whole of Somalia.

In 1992 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 733 imposing sanctions on Somalia in response to the deterioration of the conflict in Somalia, the heavy loss of life and the widespread damage resulting from the conflict. The sanctions have been modified and extended by a number of subsequent UNSC resolutions.

Somalis believe the UNSC weapons embargo is frequently violated and that is why fighting continues after 19 years.

Source: All Headline News (AHN).
Link: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90050237?Somalia%20bans%20trading%20in%20weapons.