Somalia Neglects to File Required UNSCR Report on Blocking Terrorist Acquisition of Weapons of Mass Destruction

NEW YORK, United States (AXADLE) – The United Nations has urged Somalia to hand in its long-overdue National Report to the UNSCR 1540 Committee. Somalia is among just eight nations globally yet to meet this crucial mandate.

This report plays a key role in detailing the actions the Somali government is implementing to deny non-state groups—like terrorist outfits—access to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which include biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear arms.

This duty encompasses addressing materials that may help manufacture such weapons, resources present in most nations.

Out of 193 UN members, 185 have submitted reports, with most African nations on board.

However, Somalia is still part of a small clique of countries yet to file their initial report—nearly two decades since the adoption of UNSCR 1540 back in ’04.

Countries like North Korea, The Gambia, Eswatini, Mauritania, Chad, Mali, and Guinea also share this lag.

ACTION LAGGING 

This non-compliance emerges at a time when Somalia is knee-deep in an arms quagmire. Corruption, cronyism, and disarray have eaten away at the Somali government, primarily holed up in Mogadishu, throttling its institutions.

This picture, taken in August 2023, captures Al-Shabaab using a hefty dose of homemade explosives for a VBIED in Cows Weyne, Galgaduud region, Central Somalia.

Back in July 2024, clan militias scored a haul of illegal arms in central Somalia, with Al-Shabaab supposedly sourcing ample weapon and explosive supplies from Yemen through arms dealers, bolstered by stronger links with the Houthi militia.

Dishonest Somali officials have come under scrutiny for facilitating gun trades that profit both rival clan forces and radicals.

The overlap between security personnel with affiliations to Islamist factions—or those recently defecting from Al-Shabaab—renders enforcing accountability and transparency within Somalia’s security machinery extraordinarily tricky.

“The blurred lines between government organs and militant webs present a grave issue,” remarks Mohamud Nur, an analyst focusing on security and extremist factions in the area. “It not only hinders efforts to prevent terrorist weapon access but also cripples trust in Somalia’s capacity to honor international duties like UNSCR 1540.”

In March 2023, Al-Shabaab detonated a VBIED using a high amount of locally-fashioned explosives in an attack on a military base in Ruunirgood town, Middle Shabelle region, Somalia.

The infiltration of insurgent influences into the security framework compounds the intricate scenario where corruption and fractured loyalties sabotage attempts to curb non-state actor access to WMDs.

Just last week, the head of the UNSCR 1540 Committee reinforced the significance of adhering to the resolution, underlining, “Resolution 1540 calls on nations to deliver reports on measures they’ve taken or intend to implement to fulfill the resolution’s aims. So far, 185 Member States have sent in reports, with eight still pending.”

The Chair mentioned that the Committee reached out to non-reporting nations during 2023 and 2024, offering a helping hand for compliance.

Somalia’s Ministry of Interior, Internal Security, and the Office of the National Security Advisor have remained mum on this issue.

To explore the complete statement by the UNSCR 1540 Committee Chair, you may click here.