UN Monitoring Group Report on Somalia

The United Nations released the massive Somalia report dated 12 July 2013 prepared by the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea.  It covers acts that threaten peace, security and stability of Somalia; violations of the arms embargo; obstruction of humanitarian assistance; violations of international humanitarian law; and violations of the ban on charcoal.  It contains annexes on al-Shabaab; spoiler networks in Somalia; piracy and kidnap for ransom; misappropriation of public financial resources; violations of the arms embargo; obstruction of humanitarian assistance; violations of international humanitarian law; and violations of the ban on charcoal.

That part of the report dealing with Eritrea may not be made public, according to Reuters in an article titled "Exclusive: Eritrea Pays Warlord to Influence Somalia - U.N. Experts" because of objections raised by Russia.  There have been other complaints about the two reports.  For example, the Mogadishu-based The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies in a Response to Monitoring Group Allegations denied information about it and its director, Abdi Aynte. 

The Somali Federal Government subsequently objected to some of the information in the report and called for an adjudication panel for future monitoring group reports.

The Central Bank of Somalia also issued on 23 July 2013 a "Preliminary Response to Allegations of Corruption."