Sanctions Profile: Somalia

The UN introduced targeted asset freezes and travel bans in 2008 by UN Security Council Resolution 1844, against those seeking to prevent or block a peaceful political process, or those who undermine stability in the region. The EU implemented these measures in 2009, by Common Position 2009/138/CFSP and then Council Regulation (EU) No 356/2010.

In 2012, the UN adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2036, which imposed a ban on the direct or indirect import of charcoal from Somalia (whether or not such charcoal originated in Somalia). The EU implemented that measure in 2012, by Council Regulation (EU) No 642/2012 (which amends Council Regulation (EC) No 147/2003). There are no autonomous EU sanctions on Somalia.

Summary of Current UN Sanctions:

General

• Arms embargo
• Charcoal ban

Targeted

• Arms embargo
• Asset freeze
• Travel ban

Designation Criteria

Individuals and entities:

1. engaging in, or providing support for, acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Somalia, including acts that threaten the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, or obstruct, undermine or threaten the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM or UNSOM by force;
2. acting in violation of the arms embargo on Somalia or as having acted in violation of the arms resale and transfer restrictions;
3. obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, or access to, or distribution of, humanitarian assistance in Somalia;
4. recruiting or using children in armed conflicts in Somalia in violation of applicable international law by political or military leaders;
5. violating applicable international law in Somalia involving the targeting of civilians including children and women in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual and gender-based violence, attacks on schools and hospitals and abduction and forced displacement;
6. engaging in the export or direct or indirect import of charcoal from Somalia;
7. engaging in any non-local commerce via Al-Shabaab controlled ports which constitutes financial support for a designated entity;
8. misappropriating financial resources which undermines the Transitional Federal Institutions’ and their post-transition successors’ ability to fulfil their obligations in delivering services within the framework of the Djibouti Agreement; or
9. planning, directing or committing acts involving sexual and gender-based violence.

Summary of Current EU Sanctions:

General

• Arms embargo
• Charcoal ban

Targeted

• Arms embargo
• Asset freeze
• Travel ban

Designation Criteria

People and entities designated by the UN Sanctions Committee as:

1. engaging in, or providing support, for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Somalia (including acts that threaten the country’s peace and reconciliation process, or threaten the Federal Government of Somalia or the African Union Mission in Somalia “AMISOM” by force);
2. violating the arms embargo or related prohibitions;
3. obstructing the delivery or provision of humanitarian assistance to Somalia;
4. being political or military leaders recruiting or using children in armed conflicts in Somalia; or
5. being responsible for violations of applicable international law in Somalia involving the targeting of civilians, including killing, maiming, sexual and gender-based violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and forced displacement.