UN discusses charcoal embargo violations

NY June 17, 2023 (QJ) -The United Nations Security Council’s Monitoring Group on Somalia’s arms embargo and charcoal trade stated that the Somali government has intensified efforts to combat charcoal smuggling in the country, aiming to enforce the resolutions of the Security Council on the prohibition of charcoal exports.

According to a report released by the committee, the committee expressed concerns about the procedures and requirements regarding the inspection of vessels suspected of exporting charcoal from Somalia.

Furthermore, the UN Arms Embargo Committee acknowledged a letter from Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abukar Osman Baale, requesting the arms embargo on Somalia be lifted. The committee chairman, in his briefing to the Security Council, stated that the second phase, which is not yet official, is underway, focusing on the enforcement of the Somali arms embargo.

These sanctions, he said, include preventing the actions of al-Shabaab and other actors who threaten the peace, security, and stability of Somalia. The Arms Embargo Committee also commended the efforts of the Government in preventing the arms embargo violations, disarming and preventing the Government’s support to the embargo, and implementing the prohibition of charcoal exports.