United Nations Security Council Resolution 1474
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1474, adopted unanimously on April 8, 2003, after recalling resolutions on the situation in Somalia
, particularly resolutions 733
(1992), 1407
(2002) and 1425
(2002), the Council re-established a panel of experts to investigate violations of the arms embargo
against the country.
, and insisted that all states, particularly those in the region, should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia as such interference would destabilise the country. Furthermore, there was concern at the continued flow of weapon
s and ammunition
to and through Somalia from outside sources and therefore it was important to continue monitoring and improving the implementation of the arms embargo.
, the Council stressed complicity of all states with the arms embargo and that any non-compliance constituted a violation of the United Nations Charter
. It decided to re-establish a panel of four experts appointed by the Secretary-General and based in Nairobi
for six months to investigate violations of the arms embargo by land, air and sea; detail information related to the violations and to enforcement of the embargo; carry out field research in Somalia and other countries; assess the capacity of states in the region to fully implement the arms embargo, including by review of national customs and border control
; explore co-operation with the African Union
; and to recommend steps to strengthen its enforcement. Furthermore, the panel was required to have access to expertise in areas of civil aviation
, maritime transport, regional affairs and knowledge of the country and report to the Committee established in Resolution 751
(1992).
The resolution requested the full co-operation of neighbouring states, the Transitional National Government
(TNG) in Somalia and other entities or individuals by providing unhindered access to information for the expert panel and for states to provide information on violations of the arms embargo; instances of non-compliance were to be reported to the Council. A mission of the Committee would be sent to the region to demonstrate the determination to give effect to the arms embargo, while all neighbouring states were asked to report quarterly. Regional organisations, the African Union and League of Arab States were called upon to assist the Somali parties in the implementation of the embargo.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1474, adopted unanimously on April 8, 2003, after recalling resolutions on the situation in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, particularly resolutions 733
United Nations Security Council Resolution 733
United Nations Security Council Resolution 733, adopted unanimously on January 23, 1992, after expressing its alarm at the situation in Somalia regarding the heavy loss of life, destruction to property and threat to regional stability, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations...
(1992), 1407
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1407
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1407, adopted unanimously on May 3, 2002, after recalling resolutions on the situation in Somalia, particularly Resolution 733 , the Council requested the Secretary-General to establish a team to assess requirements for an expert panel to monitor...
(2002) and 1425
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1425
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1425, adopted unanimously on July 22, 2002, after recalling resolutions on the situation in Somalia, particularly resolutions 733 and 1407 , the Council established a panel of experts to investigate violations of the arms embargo against the country.The...
(2002), the Council re-established a panel of experts to investigate violations of the arms embargo
Arms embargo
An arms embargo is an embargo that applies to weaponry. It may also include "dual use" items. An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:# to signal disapproval of behavior by a certain actor,# to maintain neutral standing in an ongoing conflict, or...
against the country.
Observations
The Security Council expressed concern at continuous violations of the Somalia arms embargo since 1992 and related illegal activities. It reiterated its support for the reconciliation process in the country, including the recent Reconciliation Conference2002 Somali Reconciliation Conference
The 2002 Somali Reconciliation Conference, sometimes called the Eldoret conference were a series of meetings held in Eldoret, Kenya during November 2002. It was attended by most supporters of the Transitional National Government of Somalia...
, and insisted that all states, particularly those in the region, should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia as such interference would destabilise the country. Furthermore, there was concern at the continued flow of weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s and ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
to and through Somalia from outside sources and therefore it was important to continue monitoring and improving the implementation of the arms embargo.
Acts
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations CharterChapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, the Council stressed complicity of all states with the arms embargo and that any non-compliance constituted a violation of the United Nations Charter
United Nations Charter
The Charter of the United Nations is the foundational treaty of the international organization called the United Nations. It was signed at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in San Francisco, United States, on 26 June 1945, by 50 of the 51 original member countries...
. It decided to re-establish a panel of four experts appointed by the Secretary-General and based in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
for six months to investigate violations of the arms embargo by land, air and sea; detail information related to the violations and to enforcement of the embargo; carry out field research in Somalia and other countries; assess the capacity of states in the region to fully implement the arms embargo, including by review of national customs and border control
Border control
Border controls are measures used by a country to monitor or regulate its borders.The control of the flow of many people, animals and goods across a border may be controlled by government Customs services. Security is enforced by various kinds of Border Guards and Coast Guards...
; explore co-operation with the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
; and to recommend steps to strengthen its enforcement. Furthermore, the panel was required to have access to expertise in areas of civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
, maritime transport, regional affairs and knowledge of the country and report to the Committee established in Resolution 751
United Nations Security Council Resolution 751
United Nations Security Council Resolution 751, adopted unanimously on April 24, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 733 and 746 and considering a report by the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the ongoing civil war in Somalia, the Council established a United Nations Operation in...
(1992).
The resolution requested the full co-operation of neighbouring states, the Transitional National Government
Transitional National Government
The Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Djibouti....
(TNG) in Somalia and other entities or individuals by providing unhindered access to information for the expert panel and for states to provide information on violations of the arms embargo; instances of non-compliance were to be reported to the Council. A mission of the Committee would be sent to the region to demonstrate the determination to give effect to the arms embargo, while all neighbouring states were asked to report quarterly. Regional organisations, the African Union and League of Arab States were called upon to assist the Somali parties in the implementation of the embargo.
See also
- Disarmament in SomaliaDisarmament in SomaliaAfter two decades of violence and civil war and after the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia captured Mogadishu and Kismayo, the TFG attempted to disarm the militias of the country in late 2006...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1401 to 1500 (2002 – 2003)
- Somali Civil WarSomali Civil WarThe Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...