Somalia subscribes to Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missiles proliferation

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia has signed the International Code of Conduct against ballistic missiles proliferation, the European Union has said, setting the pace for its implementation.

Better known as the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missiles, the code was adopted in 2002 and restrains member states from using the ballistic missiles.

The Horn of Africa nation becomes the 143rd country to subscribe to the code, further buoying United Nations' efforts to rally for peace and stability across the world.

In a statement on Friday, the EU, which is one of the major partners in Somalia, asked countries which are yet to subscribe to reconsider their stand for posterity.

"This is an important step towards the universalization and effective implementation of the Code of Conduct," read the EU' statement.

"All States that have not yet subscribed to the Code of Conduct should follow this example, in particular, those possessing ballistic missile capabilities and space launch vehicles."

The HCOC is fundamental multilateral transparency and confidence-building instrument aimed at regulating ballistic missiles capable of executing mass destruction, the EU added.

Although Somalia has not been involved in incidents of atomic missiles raids, the country has been engulfed in inter-clan conflict and terrorism threats for three decades.

For instance, the country is engaged in active war against Al-Shabaab militants, who are keen to topple the fragile UN-backed administration for a decade now.

"The European Union strongly supports the Code of Conduct. All its 27 Member States have subscribed to it," added the EU, which is a major sponsor of SNA and AMISOM troops.

The HCOC is the result of international efforts to regulate access to ballistic missiles which can potentially deliver weapons of mass destruction, UN says on its website.

HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament that has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles, UN adds.

The Hague Code of Conduct does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.

Instructively, Somalia is not a crisis with neighboring countries, although it has had a hot and cold diplomatic relationship with Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia before.

But it's the relationship with Kenya which has been embroiled in controversies given the ongoing battle over Indian Ocean maritime dispute at ICJ.

And recently, Somalia also blasted Kenya for alleged interference with its domestic affairs, citing the Jubaland standoff as the basis for "our problem with Kenya".

GAROWE ONLINE

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