Security Council urges stricter implementation of arms embargo

The UN Security Council has called for greater international support towards ensuring stricter implementation of the arms embargo on Somalia. The call came after the Council heard a report that the lack of an effective central government was opening up opportunities for terrorist activities in the country. According to a statement, Council members also called on frontline and neighbouring states to "comply fully with their obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions". The current Council president, Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria, led a mission to the region last month in his capacity as chairman of the Council's sanctions committee on Somalia. While in the region, the UN group checked on the capacity of regional states to implement the arms embargo against Somalia and monitor their land, air and sea boundaries. "The mission ... expressed concern about the continuing lack of an effective central government after more than a decade of civil strife, and the opportunities this provided for activities of international terrorist organisations within the country," the statement said. The Security Council imposed the embargo in 1992. A four-member panel of experts to investigate violations of the embargo was appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in September 2002 and advises the sanctions committee.