UN Security Council extends sanctions oversight on Al-Shabaab

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has agreed to continue monitoring sanctions against Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based militant group, in a unanimous decision on Friday.

The renewed mandate allows naval inspections to enforce an arms embargo, restrict charcoal exports, and regulate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through November 30, 2026.

Other sanctions measures, such as travel restrictions, asset freezes, and the broader arms embargo, remain in effect indefinitely.

“We thank all Council members for their constructive approach to negotiations, which enabled us to arrive at this consensus outcome,” said James Kariuki, Chargé d'Affaires at the UK Mission to the UN.

As the penholder on Somalia, the UK guided the discussions that led to the adoption of the text.

Kariuki emphasised that the decision reinforces efforts to cut off Al-Shabaab’s access to weapons, weaken its financial networks, and help Somalia improve its security capacity.

Al-Shabaab has been waging a violent insurgency against the Somali government for over 16 years, targeting military personnel, officials, and civilians alike.

Since late 2024, Somali security forces, together with troops from the semi-autonomous Puntland region, have increased air operations targeting Al-Shabaab in the south and centre, while confronting ISIS (Daesh) in the Bari region to the northeast, with international support.

According to the government, these campaigns have included 220 precision airstrikes since February, killing 868 militants.

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