Bosaso (WDN) – A cargo vessel named Sea World was intercepted by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) off the coast of Bareedo Carrying Military Hardware from Turkey. The ship is currently docked at the port of Bosaso and remains in the custody of Puntland regional authorities.

The Puntland Ministry of Information confirmed the interception in a press statement, noting that a formal investigation is underway and a detailed report will be released soon.

The seizure of Sea World has reignited controversy over the United Nations’ recent decision to lift the decades-old arms embargo on Somalia. The UN move was hasty, considering the country’s ongoing security challenges and political fragmentation. The fear remains that poorly monitored arms shipments could be diverted into the black market or fall into the hands of militant groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

The incident also exposes the deep institutional weaknesses within Somalia. Decades of conflict have left the country with fragile governance structures, lacking both the capacity and mechanisms to effectively regulate arms flows. Corruption, porous borders, and a thriving illicit trade network have turned Somalia into a hotspot for the unregulated circulation of weapons, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region.

There is a growing concern that without robust oversight and coordination between federal and regional authorities, arms imports will continue to undermine national security and deepen existing political divisions.

WardheerNews