10 states blamed over Somalia war

tory by PATRICK NZIOKA Publication Date: 11/20/2006

Ten countries have been accused of violating the arms embargo on war-torn Somalia by arming factions in the conflict. However, Kenya is not among the countries flouting the UN rules, the Monitoring Group on Somalia says in its latest report. Islamic courts soldiers escort suspected pirates from the Dubai cargo ship MV Veesham in Mogadishu on November 12. Eight people face trial according to sharia law, which provides for amputations and death. Photo/Reuters

The group was established by the UN Security Council to investigate, identify and make recommendations on those breaking the embargo. Its report gives details of countries and groups supplying arms, personnel and equipment to various Somali factions.

Members based in Nairobi submitted the report to the chairman of the UN Security Council committee on Somalia, Mr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, a month ago.

Uganda and Ethiopia are named as having aided the transitional government, while Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were accused of supporting the Union of Islamic Courts. But all have denied taking sides in the conflict.

Other countries accused of violating the embargo are Djibouti and Yemen.

Uganda has dismissed the report. "It is all trash," Defence minister Chrispus Kiyonga told reporters. "Uganda will now formally protest to the UN about this serious, negative and false report."

Ethiopia said the claims were "without basis".

Libya on Friday dismissed the report as unfounded. It had always been a peace-broker between the Somali Government and its rivals, it said.