Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at a Security Council Meeting on Somalia Sanctions
Mr. President,
To begin with, let me thank for your informative briefing on the work of the Committee over the past four months.
The Russian Federation fully supports Mogadishu's efforts to achieve domestic political and socio-economic stability and to counter Al-Shabaab terrorist group, which is the main security challenge in Somalia.
We note that the arms and coal embargo on Somalia is still in effect. These bans have proved to be quite an effective instrument to cut off the channels that ‘feed’ extremist and terrorist forces. At the same time, there has been a positive impact from the practice of partially lifting the arms embargo on supplying weapons to Somalia's security forces. We are in favor of further multifaceted assistance to Mogadishu to improve the operational readiness of the Somali army and AMISOM, which bear the main burden in the fight against terrorists.
Last year, the Council introduced additional restrictions on the supply of IED components to the country. We hope that these measures will work smoothly.
At the same time, we would like to emphasize that we do not see sanctions as a goal in themselves, but only as a way of assisting the Somali authorities to achieve peace and stability in their country.
Regarding the relations between the Committee along with its Panel of Experts and the Federal Government of Somalia, we would like this interaction to get back to normal, constructive course. For this, of course, there is need for a clear understanding that all concerns of the sovereign Somali authorities will be fully taken into account. Given the realities of the country, if it is not the case, both Somali stakeholders and external actors will be unlikely to deem it necessary to defer to central authorities. Moreover, all our efforts - political, economic, humanitarian assistance - will be in vain.
The Federal Government of Somalia should not get the impression that the Security Council is biased towards its work. In that regard, Mr. President, we welcome your January visit to Somalia, as well as initial contacts of the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts in Mogadishu. We trust that, with the assistance of the renewed Panel of Experts, together we will be able to turn the page and establish constructive relations with Somali partners.
Thank you very much.
