MOGADISHU, Somalia – The government has welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to lift the arms embargo on Somalia after a long and hard journey.
The president of the federal government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that the government of Somalia after 31 years has full access to buy sophisticated weapons.
The president said that the countries that support Somalia in counter-Al-Shabaab will provide any weapon that the government asked for in the past but was unable to deliver due to the ban.
Hassan Sheikh said the government will take strict responsibility for controlling the flow of weapons entering the country amid concerns that Al-Shabaab could gain more weapons.
The President noted that the world has recognized there is a responsible government in Somalia, which is capable of controlling the country’s weapons after decades of process.
“I want to congratulate the Somali people on the lifting of the UN arms embargo on our country after 31 years of ban,” said the president in a short video released by his office.
It took a long time for Somalia to gradually complete the weapons management system.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia said that the lifting of the arms embargo is an indication of how relentlessly the international community is supporting Somalia to achieve lasting peace.
The ministry said in a statement that the Somali government looks forward to continued cooperation in addressing challenges and taking advantage of upcoming opportunities.
