Home Europe Council of the European Union Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/170 of 6 February 2020 amending...
Date: 2020-02-07 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: Europe

Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/170 of 6 February 2020 amending Decision 2010/231/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Somalia

Issued by Council of the European Union · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary: Council Decision CFSP 2020/170 amends Decision 2010/231/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Somalia, following UN Security Council Resolution 2498 (2019). The decision reaffirms the arms embargo, adjusts exemptions and notification procedures for arms deliveries, reiterates the charcoal import ban, and introduces restrictions on improvised explosive device components. It entered into force on February 7, 2020. Key Points / Main Content: Arms Embargo and Exemptions: * Reaffirms the general and complete arms embargo on Somalia. * Specifies exemptions to the embargo for supplies intended for UN personnel (UNSOM), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), AMISOM's strategic partners, the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia, Member States or international organizations combating piracy, and the development of Somali National Security Forces. * Sets conditions for exemptions related to Somali National Security Forces or Somali security sector institutions. Approval and Notification Requirements: * Requires advance approval from the Sanctions Committee for specific arms and related material (Annex II) intended for Somali National Security Forces. * Mandates prior notification to the Sanctions Committee for other arms and related material (Annex III) and related assistance for Somali National Security Forces. * Requires prior notification to the Sanctions Committee for the supply of arms and related material and assistance to Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia. * Outlines the responsibilities of the Federal Government of Somalia and Member States in the notification and approval processes. Restrictions on Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Components: * Prohibits the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of specific IED components (EU Common Military List; Annex IV) to Somalia. * Subjects the supply, sale, or transfer of other IED components (Annex V) to prior authorization by Member States, contingent on the risk of their use in IED manufacture in Somalia. * Requires Member States to notify the Sanctions Committee of sales, supplies, or transfers of Annex V items within 15 working days. * Promotes vigilance regarding the supply of explosive precursors and materials to Somalia. Other Provisions: * Prohibits the transfer of weapons or military equipment supplied for the development of the Somali National Security Forces or Somali security sector institutions to unauthorized individuals or entities. * Replaces Annex II with Annex I, and adds Annexes III, IV, and V. Impact Analysis: European Union Member States: * Impact: Must ensure national legislation aligns with the amended decision, particularly regarding arms transfers and IED component restrictions. * Action Required: Implement authorization and notification procedures for arms and IED component transfers to Somalia, promote vigilance concerning explosive precursors, and share information with relevant parties. Federal Government of Somalia: * Impact: Has primary responsibility for notifying and requesting approval from the Sanctions Committee for arms deliveries. * Action Required: Notify the Sanctions Committee of arms deliveries and provide technical support for notification procedures. Somali National Security Forces and Security Sector Institutions: * Impact: Subject to restrictions and regulations concerning the receipt and use of arms and related material. * Action Required: Adhere to regulations regarding the use and storage of arms and related material, and comply with notification and approval processes. Sanctions Committee: * Impact: Responsible for reviewing and approving or rejecting requests for arms transfers and receiving notifications. * Action Required: Process notifications and approval requests related to arms transfers to Somalia. United Nations Personnel (UNSOM), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), AMISOM strategic partners, European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia: * Impact: Maintain exemptions to the arms embargo for specific support activities. * Action Required: Ensure activities remain within the scope of permitted exemptions.

Key Entities Referenced

UNSCR 2498 2019: United Nations Security Council Resolution 2498 adopted in 2019 concerning the arms embargo on Somalia. Somalia: Country in the Horn of Africa, the subject of restrictive measures outlined in the decision. European Union: Political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe, responsible for implementing measures against Somalia. United Nations Security Council: A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its Resolution UNSCR 2498 (2019) is referenced. African Union Mission in Somalia AMISOM: A peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union in Somalia. Somali National Security Forces: The national armed forces of Somalia, subject to provisions regarding arms and material supply. European Union Training Mission EUTM in Somalia: A military training mission of the European Union in Somalia. Federal Government of Somalia: The internationally recognized government of Somalia, which has primary responsibility to notify the Sanctions Committee.
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7.2.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 36/5 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2020/170 of 6 February 2020 amending Decision 2010/231/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Somalia THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 26 April 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/231/CFSP(1). (2) On 15 November 2019, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution (UNSCR) 2498 (2019). That Resolution reaffirms a general and complete arms embargo on Somalia and amends the exemptions, advance approvals and notifications concerning the delivery of arms and related materials to Somalia. The Resolution reaffirms the prohibition on the import of charcoal from Somalia, and also introduces restrictions on the sale, supply and transfer of improvised explosive device components to Somalia. (3) Decision 2010/231/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly. (4) Further action by the Union is necessary to implement certain measures in this Decision, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Decision 2010/231/CFSP is amended as follows: (1) Article 1 is amended as follows: (i) paragraphs 3, 4 and 4a are replaced by the following: ‘3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to: (a) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types, and the direct or indirect supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the support of or use by United Nations personnel, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM); (b) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types, and the direct or indirect supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the support of or use by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); (c) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types, and the direct or indirect supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the support of or use by AMISOM’s strategic partners, operating solely under the African Union (AU) Strategic Concept of 5 January 2012 (or subsequent AU strategic concepts), and in cooperation and coordination with AMISOM; (1) Council Decision 2010/231/CFSP of 26 April 2010 concerning restrictive measures against Somalia and repealing Common Position 2009/138/CFSP (OJ L 105, 27.4.2010, p. 17).L 36/6 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 7.2.2020 (d) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types, and the direct or indirect supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the support of or use by the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia; (e) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types, intended solely for the use of Member States or international, regional and subregional organisations undertaking measures to suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, upon the request of the Federal Government of Somalia for which it has notified the Secretary-General and provided that any measures undertaken shall be consistent with applicable international humanitarian and human rights law; (f) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types and the supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the development of the Somali National Security Forces, or Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia, to provide security for the Somali people. The delivery of the items set out in Annexes II and III, and the provision of technical advice, financial and other assistance, and training related to military activities shall be subject to the relevant approval or notification requirements as follows: (i) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types set out in Annex II intended solely for the development of the Somali National Security Forces, or Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia, to provide security for the Somali people, shall be subject to approval in advance by the Sanctions Committee on a case-by-case basis, as set out in paragraphs 4a and 4b; (ii) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types set out in Annex III and the supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities, intended solely for the development of the Somali National Security Forces to provide security for the Somali people, shall be subject to prior notification to the Sanctions Committee as set out in paragraphs 4 and 4b; (iii) the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related material of all types set out in Annex III and the supply of technical advice, financial and other assistance and training related to military activities by Member States or international, regional and subregional organisations intended solely for the development of the Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia, shall be subject to prior notification to the Sanctions Committee as set out in paragraph 4b, and may be provided in the absence of a negative decision by the Sanctions Committee within five working days of receiving such notification; (g) the supply, sale or transfer of protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Somalia by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only; (h) the supply, sale or transfer of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, notified to the Sanctions Committee five working days in advance, and for its information only, by the supplying Member State, international, regional or subregional organisation. 4. The Federal Government of Somalia has the primary responsibility to notify the Sanctions Committee at least five working days in advance of any delivery of arms and related material of all types set out in Annex III and the delivery of technical advice, financial and other assistance, and training related to military activities, to the Somali National Security Forces, as set out under point (f)(ii) of paragraph 3 of this Article. Alternatively, Member States delivering arms and related material or technical advice, financial and other assistance, and training related to military activities to the Somali National Security Forces may notify the Sanctions Committee at least five working days in advance, informing the appropriate national coordinating body within the Federal Government of Somalia of the notification and providing the Federal Government of Somalia with technical support with notification procedures where appropriate, in accordance with paragraphs 13 and 14 of UNSCR 2498 (2019). Notifications shall include details of the manufacturer and supplier of arms and related material of all types, a description of the arms and ammunition including the type, calibre and quantity, the proposed date and place of delivery, and all relevant information concerning the intended destination unit in the Somali National Security Forces, or the intended place of storage.7.2.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 36/7 4a. The Federal Government of Somalia has the primary responsibility to request advance approval by the Sanctions Committee at least five working days in advance of any delivery of arms and related material of all types listed in Annex II, to the Somali National Security Forces, as set out in point (f)(ii) of paragraph 3 of this Article. In the alternative, Member States delivering such items may request advance approval by the Sanctions Committee, informing the appropriate national coordinating body within the Federal Government of Somalia of the approval request and providing the Federal Government of Somalia with technical support with notification procedures where appropriate, in accordance with paragraphs 13 and 14 of UNSCR 2498 (2019). Requests for approval shall include details of the manufacturer and supplier of arms and related material of all types, a description of the arms and ammunition including the type, calibre and quantity, the proposed date and place of delivery, and all relevant information concerning the intended destination unit in the Somali National Security Forces, or the intended place of storage.’; (ii) the following paragraph is added: ‘4b. Member States shall seek approval from or notify the Sanctions Committee as applicable of the delivery of any arms and related material of all types set out in Annexes II and III, technical advice, financial and other assistance, and training related to military activities to Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia pursuant to points (f)(i) and (f)(iii) of paragraph 3, and shall inform the Federal Government of Somalia in parallel at least five working days in advance.’; (iii) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: ‘5. It shall be prohibited to supply, resale, transfer, or make available for use any weapons or military equipment, sold or supplied solely for the development of the Somali National Security Forces, or Somali security sector institutions other than those of the Federal Government of Somalia, to any individual or entity not in the service of the Somali National Security Forces or Somali security sector institutions to which it was originally sold or supplied, or to the selling or supplying Member State or international, regional or subregional organisation.’. (2) The following Article is inserted: ‘Article 1c 1. Subject to Article 1(3), the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to Somalia of improvised explosive device components which appear on the EU Common Military List, and are reproduced in Annex IV to this Decision, by nationals of Member States or from the territories of Member States, shall be prohibited whether originating or not in their territories. 2. The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to Somalia of other improvised explosive device components, as listed in Annex V to this Decision, shall be subject to prior authorisation by the competent authorities of the Member States. They shall not grant such authorisation if there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the items will be used, or there is a significant risk they may be used, in the manufacture in Somalia of improvised explosive devices. 3. Member States shall notify the Sanctions Committee of the sale, supply or transfer of items referred to in paragraph 2 within 15 working days after the sale, supply or transfer takes place. The notifications shall contain all relevant information, including the purpose of the use of the items, the end user, the technical specifications and the quantity of the items to be shipped. They shall ensure that the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States of Somalia are provided with adequate financial and technical assistance to establish appropriate safeguards for the storage and distribution of such materials.L 36/8 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 7.2.2020 4. Member States shall promote the exercise of vigilance by natural and legal persons subject to their jurisdiction as regards the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of explosive precursors and materials to Somalia that may be used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, other than the items listed in Annexes IV and V to this Decision. Member States shall keep records of transactions of which they are aware regarding suspicious purchases of, or enquiries into, such other items by natural or legal persons in Somalia, and shall share such information with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts on Somalia.’. (3) Annex II is replaced by Annex I to this Decision. (4) Annex III is added as set out in Annex II to this Decision. (5) Annex IV is added as set out in Annex III to this Decision. (6) Annex V is added as set out in Annex IV to this Decision. Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Brussels, 6 February 2020. For the Council The President A. METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ7.2.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 36/9 ANNEX I ‘ANNEX II LIST OF ITEMS REFERRED TO IN POINT (F)(I) OF ARTICLE 1(3) 1. Surface to air missiles, including Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS). 2. Weapons with a calibre greater than 12,7 mm, and components specially designed for these, and associated ammunition. (This does not include shoulder fired anti-tank rocket launchers such as RPGs or LAWs, rifle grenades, or grenade launchers.) 3. Mortars with a calibre greater than 82 mm and associated ammunition. 4. Anti-tank guided weapons, including Anti-tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and ammunition and components specially designed for these items. 5. Charges and devices specifically designed or modified for military use; mines and related materiel. 6. Weapon sights with a night vision capability. 7. Aircraft, specifically designed or modified for military use. (“Aircraft” means fixed wing, swivel wing, rotary wing, tilt rotor or tilt wing vehicle, or helicopter.) 8. “Vessels” and amphibious vehicles specifically designed or modified for military use. (“Vessel” includes any ship, surface effect vehicle, vessel of small water plane area or hydrofoil and the hull or part of the hull of a vessel.) 9. Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (listed as Category IV in the UN Register of Conventional Arms).’L 36/10 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 7.2.2020 ANNEX II ‘ANNEX III LIST OF ITEMS REFERRED TO IN POINTS (F)(II) AND (F)(III) OF ARTICLE 1(3) 1. All types of weapons with a calibre up to 12,7 mm, and associated ammunition. 2. RPG-7 and recoilless rifles, and associated ammunition. 3. Helmets manufactured according to military standards or specification, or comparable national standards. 4. Body armour or protective garments, as follows: (a) soft body armour or protective garments, manufactured to military standards or specifications, or their equivalents (military standards or specifications include, as a minimum, specifications for fragmentation protection); (b) hard body armour plates providing ballistic protection equal to or greater that level III (NIJ 0101.06 July 2008) or national equivalents. 5. Ground vehicles specifically designed or modified for military use. 6. Communication equipment specifically designed or modified for military use. 7. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) positioning equipment, specifically designed or modified for military use.’7.2.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 36/11 ANNEX III ‘ANNEX IV LIST OF ITEMS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1C(1) 1. Tetryl (trinitrophenylmethylnitramine). 2. Equipment that is both specially designed for military use and specially designed for activating, powering with one-time operational output, discharging or detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). 3. “Technology” “required” for the “production” or “use” of the items listed at paragraphs 1 and 2. (The definitions of the terms “technology”, “required”, “production”, and “use” are from the Common Military List of the European Union(1).)’ (1) OJ C 98, 15.3.2018, p. 1.L 36/12 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 7.2.2020 ANNEX IV ‘ANNEX V LIST OF ITEMS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1C(2) 1. Equipment and devices, not specified by item 2 in Annex IV, that are specially designed to initiate explosives by electrical or non-electrical means (e.g. firing sets, detonators, igniters, detonating chord). 2. “Technology” “required” for the “production” or “use” of the items listed in paragraph 1. (The definitions of the terms “technology”, “required”, “production” and “use” are from the Common Military List of the European Union.) 3. Explosive materials, as follows, and mixtures containing one or more thereof: (a) Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO); (b) Nitrocellulose (containing more than 12,5 % nitrogen w/w); (c) Nitroglycol; (d) Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN); (e) Picryl chloride; (f) 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT). 4. Explosives precursors: (a) Ammonium nitrate; (b) Potassium nitrate; (c) Sodium chlorate; (d) Nitric acid; (e) Sulphuric acid.’

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