Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a firm warning against the illegal arms trade in the country, underscoring the government’s commitment to cracking down on those involved. His remarks come as Somalia intensifies its efforts to curb the circulation of weapons amidst ongoing security challenges.

“A gun and bullets are not a hoe; you cannot plant crops with them,” the President stated, emphasizing that the government has prohibited the trade of arms as enshrined in the law. 

In a stern address during a Juma prayer sermon at the Villa Somalia Mosque, he cautioned citizens not to be deceived into storing or transporting weapons, and urged them to steer clear of the illegal arms trade. “Don’t allow weapons to be stored in your home, don’t carry them in your car, and don’t engage in the weapons trade. Later, regretting won’t save you,” he warned.

The President made it clear that authorities will not hesitate to enforce the law, revealing that security forces will obtain court warrants, even in the dead of night, to search homes suspected of harboring illegal arms. “If the security forces find out that there are weapons in your home, they will obtain a court warrant, even at 3 a.m., and enter your home. Saying, ‘I had honor and my honor was violated’ will not hold,” he said, adding that those involved in such activities forfeit their honor and respect in society.

He specifically called out individuals knowingly storing weapons, whether they belong to arms dealers or criminals, warning that no one — whether an officer, politician, or leader — would be spared from legal consequences. “A person who facilitates the killing of others has no honor, no immunity, and no entitlement to anything. At 3 a.m., the security forces will come into your house, and if you resist, they will fight you legally.”

President Mohamud reaffirmed that the government’s campaign against illegal weapons is ongoing, with many already imprisoned and under investigation. He pointed to recent operations where security forces confiscated illegal arms and warned that efforts to dismantle these networks will continue.

In a final appeal, he urged the public to cease involvement in the arms trade and warned of the severe repercussions for those who defy the government’s directive. “This must stop, and people should refrain from it,” he concluded.

The President’s remarks underscore the Somali government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal arms and its determination to safeguard the country’s security by eliminating the proliferation of weapons.