The United Nations Security Council renewed sanctions against the al-Shabaab terror group on Friday, extending them until February 28, 2025.
The resolution, presented by the United Kingdom, passed unanimously with the full support of the 15-member Security Council.
A key element of the new resolution is the authorization of maritime interdiction. This will help enforce a critical arms embargo, prevent illicit arms imports, and curb the flow of materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The sanctions, which include travel bans and asset freezes, are designed to restrict the operations of al-Shabaab, further weakening the group’s capabilities.
Al-Shabaab has been a significant threat to Somalia’s security for years, fighting the Somali government and African Union forces. The group continues to destabilize the Horn of Africa.
In recent months, al-Shabaab has escalated attacks, particularly after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an “all-out war” against the group. The president was re-elected last year for a second term.
The U.N. resolution also targets the export of coal, a major source of revenue for al-Shabaab, and reinforces measures aimed at dismantling the group’s logistical and financial networks.