UN Security Council extends Eritrea, Somalia monitoring mandate

New York, US (PANA) - The UN Security Council has extended for another year the mandate of the UN panel of experts monitoring compliance with the embargoes on the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia and Eritrea.

In a resolution adopted on Wednesday evening in New York, the Council unanimously decided to extend until 25 August 2013 the mandate of the Monitoring Group on Eritrea and Somalia.

The panel also investigates all activities, including those in the financial and maritime sectors, which generate revenue that is then used to break the arms embargoes.

It is also tasked with examining any means of transport, routes, seaports, airports and other facilities used in connection with violations of the embargoes.

A statement made available to PANA in New York on Thursday said: "By the resolution, the Council also decided that the arms embargo on Somalia shall not apply to supplies of weapons and military equipment, or the provision of assistance, for use by the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

"The Eritrea arms embargo shall not apply to protective clothing temporarily exported to Eritrea by UN personnel, media representatives and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only. It shall also not apply to supplies of non-lethal
military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use."

In addition, the Council welcomed the Monitoring Group’s recommendation to set up a Joint Financial Management Board to improve financial management, transparency and accountability of Somalia’s public resources, and called for an end to the misappropriation of funds.
-0- PANA AA/SEG 26July2012