Topic:
Country: Somalia
Delegate Name: Ashu Bharath
Transnational organized crime poses a significant and growing threat to national and international security, with dire implications for public safety, public health, democratic institutions, and economic stability across the globe. Not only are criminal networks expanding, but they also are diversifying their activities, resulting in the convergence of threats that were once distinct and today have explosive and destabilizing effects.
Somalia’s drug trafficking landscape is multifaceted, involving both traditional substances like khat and the transit of more illicit drugs. Somalia’s strategic location along with unprotected borders make it susceptible to being used as a transit point for illicit drugs destined for other regions. UNODC has noted that weak border controls and limited law enforcement capabilities cause the region to be attractive to international drug trafficking syndicates.
Serious crimes such as homicide, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, firearms and ammunition trafficking, illicit narcotics trafficking, piracy, financial crimes, and extortion, along with continued terrorist attacks, continue to undermine security and sustainable development. Increasing incidents of violence against women and children, including sexual offences, is concerning. Somalia is a key origin and transit country for refugees and migrants moving along the Eastern Route towards the Arabian Peninsula, with thousands departing by boat each year from the coastal cities of Berbera and Bosaso. Additionally, Somalia is a destination country. According to UNHCR, Somalia hosts over 39,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of May 2024.
The 2023 Global Organized Crime Index stated that Somalia hosts one of the most pervasive arms trafficking markets in Africa. The number of illicit weapons circulating in the country is significant, and involves various types of criminal groups. In addition to local clan militias and transnational criminal networks, militant groups linked to al-Shabaab are heavily involved in the market. The UN Security Council lifted the embargo on Somalia’s government however maintained it on al-Shabaab. First imposed by UNSC Resolution 733, on 23 January 1992, the embargo on the Somali government was designed to stem the flow of weapons into the country during the civil war that followed the ousting of President Mohamed Siad Barre. Over the past three decades, the embargo has been amended through subsequent resolutions, and due to improvements observed in the marking and registration of weapons, the proposal to fully lift it was eventually adopted. Lifting the embargo aims to strengthen Somalia’s security forces, although it is argued Somali institutions lack the capacity to manage an increased influx of weapons. Furthermore, this has caused leakages from government stockpiles. Reports show that 35 to 40% of imported weapons in Somalia, after the 2013 embargo easing, ended up in the black market. Limited security in ammunition depots increases the risk of weapons falling into the wrong hands as well.
In partnership with the Federal Republic of Somalia and the U.S. The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, UNODC is strengthening the criminal investigative capacity of Somalia’s Police Force to improve safety and security across Somalia. To assist the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States in addressing these challenges, UNODC has been implementing the Criminal Investigation Programme, which supports the Somali Police Force Criminal Investigation Department at the Federal level along with Criminal Investigation Units at the Federal Member State level. Its objectives are to promote an effective response to major and complex crimes by enhancing the strategic and operational capacity of criminal investigators in order to investigate criminal offences and create strategies and policies. Approximately 25% of all crimes investigated by investigators trained under the Criminal Investigation Program have been sexual or gender-based violence. Moreover, 80% have involved child victims.
In order to address this compounded issue that encompasses drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, along with migrant smuggling, collaboration is necessary. Strengthening law enforcement and border security through monitoring key ports and border crossings, employing the use of advanced surveillance technologies, and enhancing intelligence communication would aid in monitoring what traverses a country’s borders. Furthermore, developing rehabilitation centers along with conducting public awareness campaigns about the dangers of drug use and trafficking would be beneficial. Additionally, enhancing stockpile security to prevent weapons from leaking into illicit markets, along with conducting regular weapons audits to ensure accountability would be greatly advantageous to the efforts in ceasing arms trafficking. Solving these multifaceted problems requires international collaboration, governmental engagement, and investment in socio-economic reforms, implementing solutions such as these can significantly reduce the detrimental effects of transnational crime.
Works Cited (links):
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/somalia/?utm_source
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2121649/?utm_source
https://www.unodc.org/easternafrica/en/illicit-drugs/drug-trafficking-patterns.html?utm_source
https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/arms-trafficking-somalia-ocindex/?utm_source
