This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council made a crucial decision, rejecting a Kenya-backed resolution to list Al-Shabaab as a terrorist group under UN resolution 1267. The move was met with relief from Somalia's ambassador to the UN, Abukar Dahir Osman, who commended council members for rejecting what he termed as an 'unjustified' move.
"Commend Council members for rejecting the unjustified listing of AS to 1267," Ambassador Dahir said after the decision.
Instead of listing Al-Shabaab as a terrorist group, the UN Security Council urged the Kenyan government to implement existing Security Council resolution 751, which targets the group and includes a ban on the illegal charcoal trade. This trade is a lifeline for Al-Shabaab, financing its operations in the region.
Aid agencies had earlier warned that listing Al-Shabaab as a terrorist group would have 'criminalized humanitarian aid' at a time when 18% of Somalis face the risk of severe hunger.
Kenya had believed that listing Al-Shabaab as a terrorist group would lead to more action against the extremists, but the UN Security Council's decision has thwarted this plan.
