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US ambassador commends Somalia's progress in weapons management
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    Thursday March 23, 2023

    Mogadishu (HOL) - The United States government has welcomed the commendable progress made by the Federal Government of Somalia in weapons and stockpile management.

    Speaking at the Weapons and Ammunition Management Conference's closing ceremony on Wednesday, US ambassador to Somalia Larry André said that the modifications in the current resolution reflect that progress and recognize the work Somalia continues to achieve.

    Members representing the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, and the international community attended the conference.

    President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's administration has taken decisive steps to meet the sanctions regime benchmarks, and doing so produces benefits for Somalia while addressing the UN Security Council's criteria for lifting the sanctions regime, the ambassador added.

    "The United States Government remains committed to continuing its support for Somalia's success and ensuring Somali forces can obtain the weapons they need to defeat al-Shabaab while mitigating the risk that weapons fall into the wrong hands."

    "For example, over the last five years, through our great partnership with the HALO Trust and Somali Security forces, we eliminated 15 tons of obsolete, unusable, and unstable ammunition. Our partnership has trained over 225 personnel in physical security and stockpile management to ensure facilities are utilized safely and effectively, according to international best practices."

    "We built and refurbished 25 structures with enhancements to meet security standards. One of these buildings includes the SNA's main arms storage, Halane Armory, located just minutes from this venue."

    "We are proud of this work that has made the armory significantly safer both for the Somali security force personnel who use it, and the population that lives and works nearby. I would like to recognize the HALO Trust for this important work. These results are prime examples of the positive cooperation among Somalia, the United States, and the wider international community on safe and secure weapons and ammunition management."

    The ambassador added that the conference would further the partnership to bring Somalia's weapons and ammunition management practices to world-class standards. This effort furthers the Somali people's collective commitment to peace and security.

    Last November, the United Nations Security Council voted to maintain an arms embargo on Somalia over strong objections from its government, saying al-Shabab still seriously threatens peace and stability in the region and that sanctions are needed to degrade its activities.

    Somalia established a functioning transitional government in 2012 and has been working to rebuild stability in the face of armed attacks and one of the worst droughts the country has experienced, which has brought thousands to the brink of famine.

    Under the recently elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the government has been engaged in a new offensive against al-Shabab, including efforts to shut down its financial network.

     





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