Somalia: AI urges donors to stop arms supply

Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
Amnesty International has urged international donors to stop arms supply to the Somali weak government which is battling Islamist insurgents in the country.
Somalia fighters_Mohammed Odowa
The weapons and other military supplies to Somalia's government have been used against civilians and worsening the situation in Horn of Africa nation, Amnesty International said.

The rights group added that extremist rebels took over the weapons.

The United Nations imposed arms ban to Somalia since 1992 but government backed by western are getting arms supply from international donors as to fight with Islamist insurgents trying to overthrow a government led by moderate leader Sharif Ahmed.

"Without adequate safeguards, arms transfers may threaten the human rights and worsen the humanitarian situation of Somali civilians," said the London based rights group.

Those fighting in Somalia have been committing human rights abuses, according to the Amnesty International report.

Africa Union deployed 5000 strong peacekeepers to Somalia as to back the government which control a few area of the capital while Islamist runs most of southern Somalia.