Security Council

5732^nd Meeting* (AM)

Security Council authorizes African Union Somalia mission for further six months,

Unanimously adopting resolution 1772 (2007)

 

Mandates All Necessary Measures to Support National Reconciliation Congress;

Requests Continued Planning for Possible Deployment of UN Peacekeeping Operation

The Security Council this morning authorized the African Union to maintain its operation in Somalia for a further six months, and to take all necessary measures to support dialogue and reconciliation in that country by assisting with the free movement, safe passage and protection of all those involved with the ongoing National Reconciliation Congress.

By its unanimous adoption of resolution 1772 (2007) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also mandated the mission to provide protection to the Transitional Federal Institutions and help them carry out their functions of government and security for key infrastructure; assist with implementation of the National Security and Stabilization Plan, particularly the effective re-establishment and training of all-inclusive Somali security forces; and contribute to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Welcoming the National Reconciliation Congress at the initiative of the Transitional Federal Institutions, and urging all parties to participate in the political process, the Council stressed the need for it to involve all stakeholders, including all political, clan and religious leaders, the business community, and representatives of civil society, such as women’s groups.  It stressed also the need for broad-based and representative institutions reached through an all-inclusive political process, as envisaged in Somalia’s Transitional Federal Charter, in order to consolidate stability, peace and reconciliation in the country, and to ensure the maximum possible effectiveness of international assistance.

The Council urged the Transitional Federal Institutions and all parties in Somalia to respect the conclusions of the National Reconciliation Congress and to sustain an equally inclusive ongoing political process thereafter, and encouraged them to unite behind the efforts to promote such an inclusive dialogue.  It reiterated the need for the ongoing political process to both agree on a comprehensive and lasting cessation of hostilities and to produce a road map for a comprehensive peace process, including democratic elections at the local, regional and national levels, as set out in the Transitional Federal Charter.

Also by the text, the Council demanded that all Member States, particularly those in the region, comply fully with the arms embargo imposed by resolution 733 (1992) and reiterated its intention to consider ways to strengthen its effectiveness, including through targeted measures.  It requested that the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) report to the Council within 60 days on how such measures might be implemented.

[Resolution 733 (1992) imposed a complete embargo on the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia, a measure reinforced by resolution 1425 (2002) which prohibited the financing of arms acquisitions, financing, technical advice, financial and other assistance and military training.]

According to today’s resolution, however, those prohibitions would not apply to:  supplies of weapons and military equipment, technical training and assistance intended solely for the support of, or use by, the African Union Mission; and such supplies and technical assistance by States intended solely for the purpose of helping develop security sector institutions.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General to continue to develop contingency planning for the possible deployment of a United Nations peacebuilding operation to replace the African Union, including by sending a further technical assessment mission, and to report on the status of the planning within 30 days.

The meeting began at 11:05 a.m. and ended at 11:10 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1772 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992), resolution 1356 (2001), resolution 1425 (2002), resolution 1725 (2006) and resolution 1744 (2007), the statements of its President, in particular those of 13 July 2006 (S/PRST/2006/31), 22 December 2006 (S/PRST/2006/59), 30 April 2007 (S/PRST/2007/13) and 14 June 2007 (S/PRST/2007/19),

“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

“Reiterating its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia through the Transitional Federal Charter, and stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions reached through an all-inclusive political process, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter,

“Reiterating its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. François Fall,

“Reiterating its appreciation of the efforts of the international community, in particular the African Union, as well as the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the European Union, to promote peace, stability and reconciliation in Somalia, and welcoming their continued engagement,

“Welcoming the communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 18 July 2007, which states that the African Union will extend the mandate of its mission to Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional six months, and noting that the communiqué calls for the United Nations to deploy a peacekeeping operation to Somalia that will support the long-term stabilization and post-conflict restoration in the country,

“Taking note of the letter of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission dated 4 August 2007 to the Secretary-General (S/2007/499), which requested that experts from the African Union Commission and the United Nations Secretariat meet as soon as possible to discuss what further support might be provided to AMISOM,

“Taking note of the Secretary-General’s report on Somalia of 26 June 2007 (S/2007/381), in particular paragraph 30 on the deployment of a team of 10 military, police, and civilian experts to African Union headquarters to support its mission planning and management capacity structure, and expressing its appreciation for this support of AMISOM,

“Recalling that cooperation between the United Nations and the regional arrangements in matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security, as are appropriate for regional action, is an integral part of collective security as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations,

“Taking note of paragraph 27 of the Secretary-General’s report referred to above communicating the offer of the International Contact Group of its “Good Offices” to facilitate the process of genuine political reconciliation in Somalia, and encouraging the International Contact Group to continue the implementation of this offer,

“Reiterating its support for Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions, underlining the importance of providing and maintaining stability and security throughout Somalia, and underscoring the importance of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militia and ex-combatants in Somalia,

“Condemning all acts of violence and extremism inside Somalia, and expressing its concern regarding the continued violence inside Somalia,

“Stressing its concern at the upsurge in piracy off the Somali coast described in paragraph 51 of the Secretary-General’s report, and taking note of the joint communiqué of the International Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme of 10 July 2007,

“Emphasizing the contribution that AMISOM and its Ugandan contingents are making to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, condemning any hostility towards them, and urging all parties in Somalia and the region to support and cooperate with AMISOM,

“Underlining that the full deployment of AMISOM will help avoid a security vacuum and help create the conditions for full withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia,

“Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Stresses the need for broad-based and representative institutions reached through an all-inclusive political process in Somalia, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter, in order to consolidate stability, peace and reconciliation in the country and to ensure that international assistance is as effective as possible;

“2.   Welcomes the convening of the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) at the initiative of the Transitional Federal Institutions, and urges all parties to support the NRC and participate in the political process;

“3.   Stresses the need for the NRC to be an all-inclusive intra-Somali political process involving all stakeholders including all political leaders, clan leaders, religious leaders, the business community, and representatives of civil society such as women’s groups;

“4.   Urges the Transitional Federal Institutions and all parties in Somalia to respect the conclusions of the NRC and to sustain an equally inclusive ongoing political process thereafter, and encourages them to unite behind the efforts to promote such an inclusive dialogue;

“5.   Reiterates the need for the ongoing political process to both agree on a comprehensive and lasting cessation of hostilities and to produce a road map for a comprehensive peace process, including democratic elections at the local, regional and national levels as set out in Somalia’s Transitional Federal Charter;

“6.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue and intensify his efforts to strengthen the NRC and, more widely, promote an ongoing all-inclusive political process, including by assisting the Transitional Federal Institutions’ role in delivering both and by working together with the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the European Union, and the International Contact Group on Somalia, and requests the Secretary-General to report, pursuant to the timetable set out in paragraph 17 below, on the efforts of the Transitional Federal Institutions, on progress made in the NRC and the subsequent political process, and on any obstacles to the success of either;

“7.   Requests the Secretary-General to provide in the same reports an assessment of further measures that may be required to strengthen the ability of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to fulfil the role envisaged in paragraph 6 above, including the possibility of relocation from Nairobi to Mogadishu and any security measures that might be necessary for such a move;

“8.   States its intention, following the Secretary-General’s reports referred to in paragraph 6 above, to take measures against those who seek to prevent or block the NRC or a peaceful political process, or those who threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions or AMISOM by force, or take action that undermines stability in Somalia or the region;

“9.   Decides to authorize member States of the African Union to maintain a mission in Somalia for a further period of six months, which shall be authorized to take all necessary measures as appropriate to carry out the following mandate:

(a)   To support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia by assisting with the free movement, safe passage and protection of all those involved with the process referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5;

(b)   To provide, as appropriate, protection to the Transitional Federal Institutions to help them carry out their functions of government, and security for key infrastructure;

(c)   To assist, within its capabilities, and in coordination with other parties, with implementation of the National Security and Stabilization Plan, in particular the effective re-establishment and training of all-inclusive Somali security forces;

(d)   To contribute, as may be requested and within capabilities, to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance;

(e)   To protect its personnel, facilities, installations, equipment and mission, and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel;

“10.  Urges member States of the African Union to contribute to the above mission in order to help create the conditions for the withdrawal of all other foreign forces from Somalia;

“11.  Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) and further elaborated upon in paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1425 (2002) shall not apply to:

(a)   Supplies of weapons and military equipment, technical training and assistance intended solely for the support of or use by the mission referred to in paragraph 9 above; or

(b)   Such supplies and technical assistance by States intended solely for the purpose of helping develop security sector institutions, consistent with the political process set out in paragraphs 1 to 5 above and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) within five working days of receiving the notification described in paragraph 12 below;

“12.  Decides that States providing supplies or technical assistance in accordance with paragraph 11 (b) above shall notify the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) in advance and on a case-by-case basis;

“13.  Emphasizes the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo, demands that all Member States, in particular those of the region, fully comply with it, reiterates its intention to consider urgently ways to strengthen its effectiveness, including through targeted measures in support of the arms embargo, and requests that the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) report to the Council within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution on possible measures that might be taken and how they might be implemented;

“14.  Urges Member States to provide financial resources, personnel, equipment and services for the full deployment of AMISOM;

“15.  Requests the Secretary-General to consult with the African Union Commission on what further support might be provide to AMISOM and report back to the Council on any progress, pursuant to the timetable set out in paragraph 17 below;

“16.  Requests the Secretary-General, further to the observations in his report on Somalia of 26 June 2007 referred to above, to continue to develop the existing contingency planning for the possible deployment of a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation replacing AMISOM including:

(a)   sending a further Technical Assessment Mission to the region as soon as possible;

(b)   further contact with potential troop-contributing countries;

(c)   identifying what further action the United Nations and the international community should take to help create the conditions necessary for, and to overcome potential obstacles to, the deployment and success of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia, including specifying measures, indicators and time frames for review of progress that will assist the Security Council’s decision on the appropriateness of and objectives for a United Nations mission;

“17.  Requests that the Secretary-General report to the Council within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution, and then again within a further 30 days, on the status of the further development of the plans outlined in paragraph 16 above, as well as the political aspects in paragraphs 6 and 7 above;

“18.  Encourages Member States whose naval vessels and military aircraft operate in international waters and airspace adjacent to the coast of Somalia to be vigilant to any incident of piracy therein and to take appropriate action to protect merchant shipping, in particular the transportation of humanitarian aid, against any such act, in line with relevant international law;

“19.  Reaffirms its previous resolutions 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, and 1674 (2006) and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and stresses the responsibility of all parties and armed groups in Somalia to take appropriate steps to protect the civilian population in the country, consistent with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, in particular by avoiding any indiscriminate attacks on populated areas;

“20.  Strongly supports and encourages the ongoing relief efforts in Somalia, recalls its resolution 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, calls on all parties and armed groups in Somalia to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of AMISOM and humanitarian personnel, and grant timely, safe and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, and urges the countries in the region to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance by land or via air and sea ports;

“21.  Reaffirms its previous resolution 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict and recalls the subsequent conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict pertaining to parties to the armed conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2007/14);

“22.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Background

Before the Council was a letter from the Secretary-General dated 17 August 2007 (document S/2007/499), transmitting two letters from the President of the African Union on the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation and United Nations support for the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Also before the Council was a letter dated 18 July 2007 (document S/2007/444) from the Permanent Representative of Ghana, containing the communiqué on the situation in Somalia issued by the eightieth meeting of the regional body’s Peace and Security Council.

The Council also had before it the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in Somalia (document S/2007/381), dated 25 June 2007 and covering developments since his previous report of 30 April (document S/2007/115), with a particular focus on preparations for the National Reconciliation Congress.  It includes an update on the security and human rights situation in the country, the humanitarian and development activities of the United Nations agencies and programmes in Somalia, and the status of contingency planning for a possible United Nations peacekeeping operation.

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*     The 5731^st Meeting was closed.

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