UN Group Reveals How Al-Shabaab Gets Arms

{{UN monitors have found evidence that arm shipments to the Somali Government have been diverted to clan militias and in one case were destined for an Al-Shabaab rebel commander.}}

A confidential report by the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group, seen by reporters on Friday, found “high level and systematic abuses in weapons management and distribution” by Somali authorities.

In February 2013 the United Nations Security Council voted to partially lift an arms embargo against Somalia, seeking to help the beleaguered government in its battle against Islamist guerrillas.

But the council imposed restrictions requiring notification of shipments, banned certain heavy weapons and mandated the Monitoring Group to watch how matters proceeded.