This is why arms sales/donations to the 3rd world is Bad

**Tajir** · August 11, 2009, 11:13 PM

The business of selling arms at Mogadishu's Cirtoogte ("Sky Shooter") market is brisk.
The weapons that the U.S. government donated to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) are being sold in the market, according to one trader who asked Radio Garowe to be quoted anonymously.

"The TFG weapons on sale are light weapons. We bought the weapons from officers of the TFG at a very steep price, and we sell them at higher price because anti-TFG forces such as Al Shabaab buy the weapons," says the Cirtoogte market trader.

In July, the U.S. government gave the struggling TFG arms to defend itself against Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam insurgent forces. A spokesman for the U.S. State Department stated his government had given the TFG "40 tons of arms."
Traders at Cirtoogte market told Radio Garowe that the new weapons on sale at the market are from the Villa Somalia presidential palace.

The TFG has not so far commented on allegations that government weapons are on sale at Mogadishu's Cirtoogte gun market.

Allegations that government weapons were being bought by the insurgents could not be independently verified.

Last week, the U.S. government reiterated its strong support for the TFG in a meeting between Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and the U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, in neighboring Kenya.

The talks were aimed at shoring up support for the struggling TFG, which is at risk of being toppled by insurgents.

Source: Radio Garowe

**nopasties** · August 11, 2009, 11:29 PM

Good movie on subject

**Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus** · August 11, 2009, 11:32 PM

Something bad happened in Somalia ?

**mrmouth** · August 11, 2009, 11:41 PM

"according to one trader who asked Radio Garowe to be quoted anonymously."

Maybe it is true. Maybe all the weapons are there. Maybe only one single crate of rifles. Maybe this trader is full of crap, and is actually an Islamist spreading rumors in order to erode support for the TFG.

**Burnum** · August 12, 2009, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by BarnabyJones

"according to one trader who asked Radio Garowe to be quoted anonymously."

Maybe it is true. Maybe all the weapons are there. Maybe only one single crate of rifles. Maybe this trader is full of crap, and is actually an Islamist spreading rumors in order to erode support for the TFG.

You know it's not like it hasn't happened before.

**Kanaric** · August 11, 2009, 11:55 PM

lord of war is an awesome movie and I think it definitely opened a lot of peoples eyes to this issue due to the fact it was so good and successful.

**~~A pimp named Slickback~~** · August 11, 2009, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kanaric

lord of war is an awesome movie and I think it definitely opened a lot of peoples eyes to this issue due to the fact it was so good and successful.

One of my favorite movies of all time really. I've dreamt of selling death to coloreds ever since I first laid eyes on Nicholas Cage wearing that prim suit and macking on that model.

**Gelgoog** · August 11, 2009, 11:58 PM

and this is why giving our government any kind of budget is a bad move.

also this is exactly how all those american made guns ended up in the hands of mexican drug lords. They were smuggled across the boarder, they were sold and stolen from police/military armories.

**Kanaric** · August 12, 2009, 12:00 AM

also this is exactly how all those american made guns ended up in the hands of mexican drug lords.

If you really think about it they probably could of got russian made for cheaper. Someone needs to talk to the person running their budget.

**Rapax** · August 12, 2009, 03:56 AM

Originally Posted by Kanaric

If you really think about it they probably could of got russian made for cheaper. Someone needs to talk to the person running their budget.

America is right across the border and produces tons of weapons. Why would you import russian weapons for your illegal operations?

**Tajir** · August 12, 2009, 04:44 AM

Same thing has happened in Iraq with Shia soldiers surrendering weapons to Sadr's army and Afghan governors (Herat for ex.) turning allegiance to the Taliban.

I knew this idea of lifting Somalia's weapons embargo (2006) and allowing weapons to enter the gov'ts hands would backfire, obviously not against the US itself but against wider regional interests.

The transitional gov'ts soldiers don't get paid, just barely fed on whatever food aid their higher-ups can steal for them. Even if they did get paid, it would be a salary of $10 to $15 USD per month.

Now, give this soldier an AK worth $400, you think he'll risk his life for that non-salary and simply walk around with this hunk of cash around his neck or sell it to a Saudi-funded Islamist militia who will buy it for twice maybe four times its value? I'd doubt this article if it said the opposite.