An assessment of the impact of the United Nations Security Council’s Arms embargo on rebuilding Somalia’s National Armed Forces (2012–2023)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This research set out to investigate how significantly Somalia’s prolonged conflict between 2012 and 2023 has been impacted by the UNSC’s arms embargo on Somalia, specifically in relation to creating an effective and strong SNAF and improving the state’s peace and security. It is argued that a central challenge lies in rebuilding SNAF so that they can assume full responsibility for the country’s security. The study was qualitative, drawing on both secondary and primary sources. The research draws upon a wide range of sources, including archival materials, secondary literature, and extensive fieldwork interviews with Somali policymakers and practitioners. In addition, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with 21 former Somali defence and security practitioners and other non-government workers for further interviews or documentation purposes. Furthermore, the study integrated theoretical frameworks such as international relations’ levels of analysis, security dilemma, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, culminating in a comprehensive assessment of obstacles to rebuilding a credible national army, accompanied by policy and institutional reform recommendations.

The study found that blaming the failure to rebuild SNAF solely on the UNSC’s arms embargo is unfair because the SNAF’s problems are profound and multifaceted. Moreover, the research finds that although the UNSC’s arms embargo on SNAF has contributed to the failure in rebuilding a strong and effective national army, it is not the sole cause. Several other key factors have played a major role, including interference by neighbouring countries, armed non-state actors and anti-government groups, corruption within the SNAF, a dysfunctional federal system and weak security institutions, poor SSR and SSG strategies and difficult living and working conditions for Somali soldiers. Additionally, the absence of a comprehensive peace and reconciliation process, along with incomplete state-building efforts—such as the unfinished constitution—poses significant obstacles to creating a unified, effective national military force in the country. Moreover, the research makes three key contributions to academic debate in the areas of empirical, conceptual and policy ways.