UNITED NATIONS: UN monitors have found evidence that arms shipments to the Somali government have been diverted to clan militias and in one case were destined for a Shebab rebel commander.

A confidential report by the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group 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.

On Feb 6, the coordinator of the UN monitors wrote to the chairman of the Security Council committee overseeing the sanctions to present a report that raised serious concerns.

The report, which is not binding on UN members, recommended a reversal of the loosening of the embargo, to try and stop arms shipped to the Somali government falling into the wrong hands.

“However, an alternative recommendation to the committee would be to introduce, at the minimum, enhanced notification and reporting requirements, if not a partial tightening,” it said.

Somalia's government struggles to control its own territory, despite the support of a large African Union force, and the Shebab rebels regularly launch devastating attacks despite recent defeats.—AFP