Puntland Calls for Reinstatement of Arms Ban in Somalia Amid Escalating Clan Conflicts

Garowe, (IDNE, Edirorial) — The semi-autonomous state of Puntland in northeastern Somalia has called on the United Nations to reinstate the arms embargo that was lifted seven months ago, citing an increase in clan conflicts fueled by easier access to weaponry. The call comes in the wake of a deadly clash in Abudwak that resulted in the deaths of twelve people, including two soldiers, and left thirty more injured.

Abdi Farah Said, Puntland’s Interior Minister, emphasized the country’s fragile state, marked by over three decades of conflict, and its lack of credible institutions to monitor and control the flow of arms. “With a weak central government and no effective mechanisms to track arms, the lifting of the embargo has exacerbated violence and instability,” via Bloomberg.

The recent clash in Abudwaq was reportedly between soldiers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) of the Galmudug state and local militias. The conflict erupted over the control of two truckloads of weapons that were allegedly smuggled in from Ethiopia. The Federal Government of Somalia stated that these weapons were purchased to arm the Habar Gidir tribe as part of efforts to counter Al-Shabaab militants. However, the Marehan clan expressed concerns over the arming of their rivals, fearing it could lead to further hostilities.

Adding to the controversy, the weapons in question were allegedly linked to Liban Shuluq, a notorious arms dealer and close associate of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Shuluq, who holds a license to trade weapons in Somalia, is believed to have facilitated the acquisition of the arms from Ethiopia.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s handling of the arms embargo. Following a disagreement with President Mohamud over proposed changes to the provisional constitution on March 29, Puntland declared its independence and suspended recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia. The disagreement arose after the federal government attempted to alter the chartered provisional constitution agreed upon in 2012, a move that Puntland viewed as illegitimate.

The incident in Abudwak has further strained relations between the Puntland administration and the federal government. Juha, Puntland’s Minister of Security, took to Twitter (now X) to voice his concerns, stating, “Lifting the arms embargo on Somalia was a BIG MISTAKE. This fuels clan conflicts and erodes trust. Time to reconsider.”

United States and International observers have expressed alarm over the situation, warning that the influx of weapons and the ensuing violence could destabilize the region further. With Somalia’s central government struggling to assert control and maintain peace, the reinstatement of the arms embargo is seen by many as a necessary step to curb the violence and restore stability.

The United Nations, which initially lifted the arms embargo to help the Somali government strengthen its security forces against Al-Shabaab, is now facing pressure to review its decision in light of the escalating clan conflicts.

𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆, security expert and analyst of  Horn of Africa.