Sanctions and embargoes in Africa: Implementation dynamics, prospects and challenges in the case of Somalia

This research paper examines the implementation and failure of the arms embargo imposed on Somalia in 1992, using it as a case study to identify the necessary conditions for the effective enforcement of similar sanctions across Africa.

• The arms embargo on Somalia, established by Security Council Resolution 733 in January 1992 to limit weapons and military equipment delivery to improve security, is described as having failed significantly. Sixteen years after its start, the country is considered to have more small arms and light weapons than it did prior to the embargo.
• The author identifies several critical requirements for the successful implementation of arms embargoes in Africa: the presence of a functioning central authority, support from other states, an improving domestic security environment, and a Security Council capable of using 'sticks' to punish entities that break the embargo.

APA

Atta-Asamoah, A. (n.d.). Sanctions and embargoes in Africa: Implementation dynamics, prospects and challenges in the case of Somalia. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/papers/sanctions-and-embargoes-in-africa-implementation-dynamics-prospects-and-challenges-in-the-case-of-somalia

Chicago

Atta-Asamoah, Andrews. Sanctions and embargoes in Africa: Implementation dynamics, prospects and challenges in the case of Somalia. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/papers/sanctions-and-embargoes-in-africa-implementation-dynamics-prospects-and-challenges-in-the-case-of-somalia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Atta-Asamoah |first1=Andrews |title=Sanctions and embargoes in Africa: Implementation dynamics, prospects and challenges in the case of Somalia |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/papers/sanctions-and-embargoes-in-africa-implementation-dynamics-prospects-and-challenges-in-the-case-of-somalia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{attaasamoahndsanctions, author = {Atta-Asamoah, Andrews}, title = {{Sanctions and embargoes in Africa: Implementation dynamics, prospects and challenges in the case of Somalia}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/papers/sanctions-and-embargoes-in-africa-implementation-dynamics-prospects-and-challenges-in-the-case-of-somalia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }