Somaliland Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Yasin Hagi Mohammed took issue Qatar’s donation of armoured vehicles to Somalia.
Horndiplomat-The government of Somaliland is thoroughly disappointed and expresses its grave concern over the Armoured vehicles donated by Qatar to Somalia according to statement by Somaliland Foreign Minister. Horndiplomat reports
In a letter to the United Nations Security Council President Francisco Antonio Cortorreal, Somaliland Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Yasin Hagi Mohammed took issue Qatar’s donation of armoured vehicles to Somalia.
Mr Mohammed said that the diversion of weapons and other military equipment to terrorist and criminal groups “whether by design or neglect,” represents a violation of the current arms embargo on Somalia besides posing a threat to Somaliland as well as the security of neighbouring nations like Kenya.
PROTRACTED CONFLICT
The minister said: “Violating the UN Security Council resolution will escalate the protracted conflict with devastating consequences for Somalia and fuel further instability across the region including Somaliland.”
Mr Mohamed said that the UN resolution 2444 condemns any transfer of defence materials. He said that these arms often end up in the hands of Al Shabaab and affiliates linked to the Islamic State terrorist organisation.
Somaliland’s concern comes just days after Kenyan police confirmed that three out of the five guns used in the terrorist attack on Nairobi’s DusitD2 hotel complex were initially bought by the Federal Government of Somalia.
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
In November last year, the UN warned that military equipment purchased by Somali Federal Government were being diverted to the armouries of rebel movements.
The arms, the UN continued, included many from a consignment received in mid-2017.
The arms are believed to be in the hands of arms dealers in Mogadishu and Baidoa.
The following statement was issued by Somaliland Foreign Minister Yasin Haji Mohamoud “Faratoon”
