The Arab Parliament welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council regarding the complete lifting of the arms embargo imposed on the Federal Republic of Somalia since January 1992, affirming that this decision comes as a culmination of the extensive efforts made by the Republic of Somalia under the wise leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in facing the security challenges confronting the country.

The Arab Parliament expressed its hope that this decision would contribute to the development of the Somali army's capabilities and support its efforts in fighting and completely eradicating terrorism, calling on the international community to support Somalia and assist it in its war on terrorism, which would benefit the achievement of security, stability, and development throughout the country.

The UN Security Council's decision would allow Mogadishu to modernize its armed forces to defeat Al-Shabaab, but it could lead to an arms race among competing Somali governments.

The UN Security Council gave a great opportunity to the Somali forces to strengthen their ranks and continue to defeat the extremist Al-Shabaab movement, after lifting the arms embargo imposed on Mogadishu, thus ending a ban imposed about thirty years ago on arms supplies to this country which has been living through a multifaceted civil war.

From time to time, the Security Council resorted to easing the embargo through procedures affecting the Somali forces, and the previous embargo did not apply to arms shipments designated for the development of security forces, but it was necessary each time to notify the UN sanctions committee which could object to some heavy weapons.

The Security Council adopted two decisions on Friday evening, the first of which stipulated lifting the general embargo system, thereby removing the last restrictions imposed on the Somali government, while the second decision reinstated the arms embargo directed at Al-Shabaab, meaning the continuation of the embargo on the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to it, and to other parties whose goal is to "undermine peace and security in Somalia."

The lifting of the embargo allows the Somali government to face severe security threats, the most prominent of which are the significant risks posed by Al-Shabaab, and the step contributes to providing adequate protection for the citizens.

Hamdi Abdulrahman, an expert in African affairs, told "Al-Arab" that the lifting of the embargo came as a culmination of the efforts of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessors who demanded this major step, which aims at strengthening the military forces and the security apparatus in general, allowing the government free rein in purchasing all types of legitimate weapons.

He added that lifting the embargo achieves important goals related to continuing the fight against the main terrorist movement in the country (Al-Shabaab) linked to Al-Qaeda, and preparing the country to build a strong army to take over security tasks after the withdrawal of international forces from Somalia in about a year.

The UN Security Council called on the Somali government to implement the national strategy for the management of weapons and ammunition, enhance more professional qualification, training, and institution-building in security, and take measures to prevent the resale of imported weapons, ammunition, and equipment to be used by certain forces, private security companies, or to be transferred or made available for use by any party.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the decision to lift the arms embargo in a statement, saying, "From now on, our country is free to purchase any type of weapons it wants worldwide... the weapons held by the government will not pose a threat to our people or to the world."

Previous Somali governments had called for lifting the arms embargo to enhance combat capabilities against militants, and the Security Council partially lifted some measures imposed on security forces in 2013, but widespread internal disputes prevented its full lifting.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud promised to expel Al-Shabaab as the remaining forces of the African Union peacekeepers depart in December next year.

The mission was to withdraw and gradually transfer its activities to the Somali forces, but the government requested last September a technical delay of three months in the second phase of withdrawal, and "ATMIS" will reduce its number from 17,626 to 14,626 personnel by the end of the year.

Observers say the decision came at a crucial moment for the Somali forces, which have made remarkable progress against Al-Shabaab, and the current political leadership wants to eliminate the movement that Mogadishu has been fighting for 16 years, during which there were various victories and defeats, and since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office, Al-Shabaab has faced several defeats.

These observers add that the withdrawal of the international mission leaves behind a military vacuum that had to be addressed by enabling the government forces to fill it by granting them the freedom to import weapons within legitimate limits and under certain controls, because the withdrawal of "ATMIS" without sufficient military cover owned by the government forces will put them in a difficult position against Al-Shabaab, which is trying to reorganize and bets on a security vacuum after the mission's withdrawal.

The Security Council extended the arms embargo on Somalia in November 2022 for one year, citing the continuation of Al-Shabaab posing a major threat to peace and stability in the region.

The commander of "ATMIS," Lieutenant General Sam Okiden, previously expressed his concern in media statements about the shortage of recruitment and logistical capabilities among Somalis.

The international mission helps the Somali forces by providing logistical support, artillery, and medical care for the wounded, and ensures the security of infrastructure, airports, and administrations.

Abdulrahman confirmed to "Al-Arab" that the decision to lift the embargo can also be viewed negatively, as it may lead to an arms race between competing Somali governments, or between the federal government and some regions demanding independence or those that have declared independence unilaterally without international recognition, such as the Republic of Somaliland, which is the most displeased with the lifting of the embargo.

He explained that the ongoing border conflicts between Somaliland and Puntland, which recently entered a violent phase of armed clashes, will be affected by the Security Council's step, because the Mogadishu government is accused of intervening in this conflict.

The lifting of the arms embargo would allow Mogadishu to modernize its armed forces, and it can also rely on training special forces by the United States, as well as the deployment of American drones on the battlefield, especially since the United States occasionally conducts air strikes against Al-Qaeda elements in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab still controls about half of Somalia’s lands, especially in Jubaland state, and the gains that have allowed government forces to advance towards Galmudug and Hirshabelle states (central) have led to retaliatory operations by Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.

In August, Mogadishu announced that the national army, in cooperation with popular resistance, managed to kill four thousand Al-Shabaab members in military operations since the beginning of this year, including the leader Abdullah Nazeer, the candidate to succeed the current Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye Abu Ubaida, and 57 other field commanders.