On April 6, 2016, the Federal Register published Presidential Notice of April 4, 2016 – Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Somalia, which continues for an additional year the national emergency, first declared on April 12, 2010 in Executive Order (EO) 13536 because of the deterioration of the security situation and the persistence of violence in Somalia, acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, which have repeatedly been the subject of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and violations of the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council.

Additional steps were taken in EO 13620 of July 20, 2016 in view of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036 of February 22, 2012, and Resolution 2002 of July 29, 2011, and to address: exports of charcoal from Somalia, which generate significant revenue for al-Shabaab; the misappropriation of Somali public assets; and certain acts of violence committed against civilians in Somalia, all of which contribute to the deterioration of the security situation and the persistence of violence in Somalia.

The national emergency is being extended because the situation with respect to Somalia continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.