Six UN Security Council members on Wednesday blocked a move to label Somali jihadist group Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization similar to groups such as Al-Qaeda that are under international sanctions.
Several NGOs and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently stepped in to oppose the classification, which would have effectively kept humanitarian aid away from millions of Somalis living in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas.
Kenya has wanted sanctions against Al-Shabaab since late last year. The call grew even louder following an attack by the group at a Nairobi hotel in January left 21 people dead.
The country had wanted an amendment to UN Resolution 1267, which sanctions Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group and their affiliates.
Germany, Belgium, Poland, France, Kuwait and the United States were the six countries whose votes blocked the implementation of the new sanctions.
Critics of the defeated sanctions have said including Al-Shabaab in the Resolution 1267 designations would have effectively criminalized UN and other assistance to people in Somalia who depend on it.
And Somalia recently told the Security Council that taking actions that could interrupt aid would “play into the Shabaab’s narrative and self-image as a de-facto government in areas where state reach is limited”.
