UNGA 74,
Statement at the Security Council on Somalia Sanctions Committee,
Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson,
February 27, New York
Thank you, Mr. President,
I would like to thank you, the Permanent Representative of Belgium and Chair of 751 Committee, for your briefing as well as your leadership in leading the work of the Committee, including for organizing a visit to Mogadishu last month. Estonia participated in the visit and found it very useful. We would like to add our voice to your statement – we also hope that as a result of the visit, the Federal Government of Somalia and the Panel of Experts are able to reset their relations.
With the mutual aim of countering the threat of terrorism, we believe that the Panel of Experts is a natural Partner for the Somali authorities. Estonia fully supports the priorities of the Panel of Experts for 2020, especially the expanded focus on Al-Shabaab’s revenue sources, IED components ban, charcoal ban, and weapons and ammunition management. The Panel’s priorities are closely aligned with the priorities of the Somali authorities, as both aim to build a peaceful and stable Somalia.
It is important to recall that the sanctions regime is in place with the sole purpose of supporting the Somali authorities to achieve stabilization of Somalia. Amongst other areas, it is preventing illegal arms trafficking and Al-Shabaab from getting weapons. It cuts the revenue sources of Al-Shabaab. It helps Somali authorities to improve the Security Sector Reform and Weapons and Ammunition Management capacities. It is also important to note that the sanctions regime entails notification and exemption procedures, which ensure that the Somali authorities can get the necessary equipment for their defense and security forces.
A lot has been achieved since the last Chair’s briefing, including the adoption of UNSC resolution 2498(2019) which consolidated and streamlined the provisions of the arms embargo and imposed an IED components ban. This goes on to show that the sanctions regime is customized in a way to best help the Somali authorities in the continuously changing circumstances. The sanctions regime is a tool to help to transform Somalia.
Estonia would like to commend the Federal Government of Somalia on progress achieved, including in the area of Security Sector Reform. We also welcome that the coordinator of the Panel has visited Somalia already three times, and encourage the Somali authorities to grant access to all members of the Panel, as only then the Panel could begin its important work.
Estonia hopes to see that in 2020 this Council, the 751 Committee, the Panel of Experts and the Federal Government of Somalia can all work together in good faith with a strong unity of purpose to make long-term peace and stability in Somalia a reality.
Thank you.