The Security Council first imposed a general and complete arms embargo on Somalia on 23 January 1992 with the adoption of resolution 733 (1992). Certain exemptions to the arms embargo were introduced by the Council in paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 1356 (2001), in paragraph 5 of resolution 1725 (2006) and in paragraphs 6 and 7 of resolution 1744 (2007), and reiterated in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007). Additional exemptions were authorized by the Security Council in paragraphs 12 of resolution 1846 (2008) and 11 of resolution 1851 (2008), with respect to efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. In paragraph 3 of resolution 1916 (2010) the Council decided that paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007) also apply to supplies and technical assistance provided by international, regional and sub-regional organizations. Furthermore, a specific exemption to the arms embargo for the United Nations Political Office for Somalia was added in paragraph 10 of resolution 2060 (2012).
By its resolution 1844 (2008), the Security Council decided to impose individual targeted sanctions (an arms embargo, including training and financial assistance, on individuals and entities; a travel ban on individuals; and an assets freeze on individuals and entities, as designated by the Committee pursuant to paragraph 8 of the same resolution). Paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 1844 (2008) as well as paragraph 4 of resolution 1972 (2011) contain exemptions to those measures.
Paragraph 1 of resolution 2002 (2011) expanded the criteria for designation to include individuals and entities found to be recruiting or using children in armed conflicts in Somalia or found to be responsible for the targeting of civilians including children and women in situations of armed conflict.
In paragraph 22 of resolution 2036 (2012), the Security Council decided to impose a ban on the direct or indirect import of charcoal from Somalia, whether or not such charcoal originated in Somalia. Furthermore, the Council decided that Somali authorities shall take the necessary measures to prevent the export of charcoal from Somalia.
The Somalia sanctions regime is summarized in the table below.
| Measure | Description (unofficial) | Exceptions to the measure |
Arms Embargo (territorial) |
All Member States shall immediately implement a general and complete arms embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia until the Council decides otherwise. |
Set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 1356 (2001), in paragraph 5 of resolution 1725 (2006), in paragraphs 6 and 7 of resolution 1744 (2007), and reiterated in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007), as well as in paragraphs 12 of resolution 1846 (2008) and 11 of resolution 1851 (2008), as well as in and paragraph 10 of resolution 2060 (2012). |
Arms Embargo (Targeted ban on arms transfers to individuals and entities) Consolidated List |
All Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply of weapons, military equipment, technical assistance, training, financial and other assistance, related to military activities, or to the supply of arms, to the individuals or entities designated by the Committee. |
None. |
Travel Ban Consolidated List |
All Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the Committee. | Set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1844 (2008). |
Assets Freeze Consolidated List |
All Member States shall freeze without delay funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by individuals and entities designated by the Committee. | Set out in paragraph 4 of resolution 1844 (2008) as well as paragraph 4 of resolution 1972 (2011). |
| Charcoal Ban | All Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect import of charcoal from Somalia, whether or not such charcoal originated in Somalia. Somali authorities shall take the necessary measures to prevent the export of charcoal from Somalia. | None |
On 23 December 2009 the Security Council adopted resolution 1907 (2009) by which it imposed a two-way (import and export) arms embargo on Eritrea as well as targeted sanctions (an arms embargo, a travel ban and an asset freeze) on individuals and entities designated by the Committee pursuant to paragraph 15 of the same resolution. Exemptions to the arms embargo were introduced by the Council in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 2060 (2012). Paragraphs 11 and 14 of resolution 1907 (2009) provide for exemptions to the travel ban and assets freeze, respectively.
Resolution 2023 (2011) expands the restrictive measures regarding Eritrea in the area of “Diaspora taxes”, the Eritrean mining sector and financial services.
The Eritrea sanctions regime is summarized in the table below.
| Measure | Description (unofficial) | Exceptions to the measure |
Two-way Arms Embargo (territorial) |
All Member States shall take measures to prevent the sale or supply to Eritrea of arms and related materiel of all types as well as technical assistance, training, financial and other assistance related to military activities or to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of these items. Eritrea shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly from its territory or by its nationals any arms or related material. |
Set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 2060 (2012). |
Arms Embargo (targeted ban on arms transfers to individuals and entities) |
All Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply of arms and related materiel of all types as well as technical assistance or training, financial and other assistance related to military activities to the individuals or entities designated by the Committee. |
None. |
Travel Ban |
All Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the Committee. | Set out in paragraph 11 of resolution 1907 (2009). |
Assets Freeze |
All Member States shall freeze without delay funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by individuals and entities designated by the Committee. | Set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 1907 (2009). |
On 22 July 2002, a Panel of Experts on Somalia was established with the adoption of resolution 1425 (2002) to generate information on violations of the arms embargo with a view toward strengthening it. The Panel of Experts was succeeded by the Monitoring Group on Somalia established pursuant to resolution 1519 (2003) to focus on the ongoing arms embargo violations. Subsequent resolutions extended and expanded the mandate of the Monitoring Group. After the adoption of resolution 1907 (2009) the Monitoring Group changed its name to Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea. The mandate of the Monitoring Group currently in existence was extended for a period of 13 months until 25 August 2013 by resolution 2060 (2012). Its mandate is delineated in paragraph 13 of that resolution and paragraph 16 of resolution 2023 (2011) and paragraph 23 of resolution 2036 (2012). View available reports of the Panel of Experts and the Monitoring Group.
The current Chair of the Committee, for the period ending 31 December 2013, is His Excellency Mr. Kim Sook (Republic of Korea). The two Vice-Chairs for 2013 are Pakistan and Togo.
The Committee prepares annual reports of its activities. The Committee has guidelines for the conduct of its work. Formal and informal meetings of the Committee are announced in the Journal of the United Nations.
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