Somalia
Overview
On January 23, 1992, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 733 (1992) imposing an immediate and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia in response to the rapid deterioration of the situation in Somalia and the heavy loss of human life and widespread material damage resulting from the conflict in the country. Security Council resolutions 1425 (2002), 1725 (2006), 1744 (2007) and 1772 (2007) subsequently strengthened and created a number of exceptions to the arms embargo. The arms embargo contained in Resolution 733 (1992) and subsequent resolutions was applied in Canada through existing provisions of the Export and Import Permits Act.
On November 20, 2008, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1844 (2008) imposing additional sanctions against Somalia in response to the acts of violence in Somalia and the increase in acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea against vessels off the coast of Somalia.
The Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Somalia implement the decisions of the Security Council in Canadian domestic law, including the additional sanctions imposed by Resolution 1844 (2008). Implementation of the travel ban imposed by Resolution 1844 (2008) is ensured in Canada under existing provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Sanctions
The measures imposed against Somalia pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions include:
- a prohibition on the export of arms and related material to any person in Somalia and to persons designated by the UN sanctions committee established to oversee the sanctions against Somalia (the 751 Committee);
- a prohibition on the provision, to any person in Somalia and to persons designated by the 751 Committee, of technical, financial or other assistance related to military activities or to the supply, sale, transfer, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms and related material;
- an assets freeze against persons designated by the 751 Committee; and
- a travel ban against persons designated by the 751 Committee.
Selected Documents
Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Somalia:
- Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Somalia (SOR/2009-92)
(entered into force on March 12, 2009)
Links
- United Nations Security Council 751 Committee
(information concerning the work of the Committee, including related UN Security Council resolutions) - Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions - Somalia sanctions
- DFAIT Export and Import Controls Bureau
- DFAIT Canada-Somalia Relations
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions relating to this page, please e-mail: sanctions@international.gc.ca or call 613-995-1108.
