Policy Brief: Request for Oversight Review Under UNSCR 2713 (2023)

July 22, 2025

By: Mariam Mohamed

This brief is submitted to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee (UNSCSC) to formally request an oversight review of Somalia’s post-embargo arms compliance mechanisms, following the preliminary interdiction of a sanctioned maritime vessel carrying visible weaponry in Somali waters. The seizure; alongside battlefield gains by insurgent groups; raises urgent concerns regarding implementation of UNSCR 2713 (2023) and risks posed by unregulated arms inflows.

Incident Overview: Maritime Seizure & Oversight Breakdown

On July 18, 2025, Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) intercepted the Comoros-flagged vessel Sea World off the coast of Puntland. The ship was visibly carrying Turkish-manufactured armored vehicles and tactical-grade weapons. The vessel was:

• Flagged under Comoros, a state on the Paris MOU Blacklist, denoting high risk for poor vessel quality and compliance violations.

• Operated by a commercial entity currently under EU sanctions for associations with the Russian "shadow fleet" and high-risk cargo operations.

• Present in Somali waters unclaimed for over 48 hours.