MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is today expected visited areas liberated by Somali military in south-central Somalia.
According to Villa Somalia statement, the president will inspect the areas where operations against Al-Shabaab are underway.
President Mohamud is expected to hold talks with the commanders and officers leading the operations. The commanders are expected to brief the President about the achievements and operations to liberate the villages and towns from Al-Shabaab.
The President will observe the situation in the liberated areas in Hiraan, Galgudud and Mudug region.
The trip of the president comes barely two days after the Council voted to maintain an arms embargo on Somalia. The resolution, which also expresses concern at the continued presence of affiliates of the Islamic State group in the Horn of African nation, was approved by a vote of 11-0 with Russia, China, Gabon and Ghana abstaining in support of the call by the Somali government, backed by the African Union, to lift the arms embargo.
Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Abukar Osman told the Security Council that the vote to extend the three decades long arms embargo will undermine the ongoing campaigns against Al-Shabaab.
Osman said Somalia had used many weapons since the start of the operation and needed more international support to win the war against al-Shabaab group.
The army used “a major portion” of its armaments during engagements with al-Shabab in the last four months, Osman said, and as a result of the arms embargo renewal, “our hands are tied in the fight against the ruthless enemy at this most critical time”.
Osman said victims of Somalia’s “terrorist groups” are asking why lifting the arms embargo is a threat to international peace and security while other countries are being armed to defend their territory and people.
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