Security Council

5842^nd Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS AUTHORIZATION OF AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SOMALIA

 

UNTIL 20 AUGUST, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1801 (2008)

Intends to Meet Again Following 10 March Secretary-General’s Report

To Consider Options, Including Possible United Nations Peacekeeping Mission

The Security Council this afternoon extended its authorization of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for a further period of six months, until 20 August.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1801 (2008) and acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council authorized AMISOM to take all necessary measures, as appropriate, to carry out its mandate, as set out in resolution 1772 (2007) (see Press Release SC/9101), underlining that the Mission could take all necessary measures to provide security for key infrastructure and to contribute to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

By the text, the Council reaffirmed its intention to take measures against those who sought to prevent or block a peaceful political process, or those who threatened the Transitional Federal Institutions or AMISOM by force, or took action that would undermine stability in Somalia or the region.

The Council also affirmed its intention to meet promptly following the Secretary-General’s report, expected for 10 March, which would offer specific options and recommendations to strengthen the ability of the United Nations Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS), to support further the full deployment of AMISOM, and to prepare for the possible deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force to succeed AMISOM.

Emphasizing the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo imposed by resolution 733 (1992) and subsequent amendments, the Council demanded that all Member States comply fully with it.  It encouraged Member States whose naval vessels and military aircraft operate in international waters and airspace adjacent to Somalia’s coast to be vigilant to piracy and to take appropriate action to protect merchant shipping, especially concerning the transportation of humanitarian aid.  It welcomed the contribution made by France to protect World Food Programme (WFP) naval convoys and the support now provided by Denmark.

After the vote, South Africa’s representative said his delegation had voted in favour, even though it would have preferred that the Council had deferred taking a decision until the requested report of the Secretary-General had been received.  A compromise had been accepted, by which the Council would consider the matter immediately after receipt of the report.   The Secretary-General’s report would provide the Council with alternative approaches to the issue of Somalia.  The Council had to demonstrate that its mandate to maintain international peace and security applied to Somalia, as well.

He said AMISOM had been doing a great job, despite its capacity challenges.  Lack of capacity, however, was not the only problem AMISOM confronted.  Another problem was that AMISOM had been deployed as a stop-gap mission until the United Nations could take over.  The international community must provide AMISOM not only with the necessary resources, it also had the obligation to support the political process necessary for bringing peace and stability to the country.

On 15 February, the Council was briefed on the situation in Somalia by the Permanent Observer of the African Union, Lila Hamitra Ratsifandrihamanana. (See Press Release SC/9249)

The meeting started at 3:18 p.m. and was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1801 (2008) 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), resolution 1744 (2007) and resolution 1772 (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), 14 June 2007 (S/PRST/2007/19) and 19 December 2007 (S/PRST/2007/49),

“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, stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions reached through a political process ultimately inclusive of all, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter, and reiterating its support for Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions,

“Welcoming the appointment by President Yusuf of Prime Minister Nur “Adde” Hassan Hussein, the subsequent appointment of a new Cabinet under the Transitional Federal Government, and the relocation of the Transitional Federal Government to Mogadishu,

“Commending the work of theSpecial Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, and affirming its strong support for his efforts,

“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 concern at the upsurge in piracy off the Somali coast described in paragraph 22 of the Secretary-General’s report, and recalling the joint communiqué of the International Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme of 10 July 2007,

“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,

“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,

“Welcoming the communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 18 January 2008, which states that the African Union will extend the mandate of its mission to Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional six months,

“Emphasizing the contribution that AMISOM and its Ugandan and Burundiancontingents are making to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, including the important work that the Ugandan forces have carried out in providing medical care for Somali citizens, condemning any hostility towards them, and urging all parties in Somalia and the region to support and cooperate with AMISOM,

“Welcoming the sustained commitment of the Government of Uganda to supporting the efforts of AMISOM over the last year and to the Government of Burundi for its recent deployment,

“Taking note of the Secretary-General’s report on Somalia of 7 November 2007 (S/2007/658), in particular paragraph 32, and expressing its appreciation for his support of AMISOM,

“Underlining that the full deployment of AMISOM will help facilitate the full withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia and help create the conditions for lasting peace and stability there,

“Noting that the communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 18 January 2008 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,

“Recalling the request in its statement of 19 December 2007 (S/PRST/2007/49) that the Secretary-General report to the Security Council on the development of contingency plans for the possible deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation to succeed AMISOM, as set out in resolution 1772 (2007),

“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.   Decides to renew the authorization of 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 mandate set out in paragraph 9 of resolution 1772 (2007) and underlines, in particular, that AMISOM is authorized to take all necessary measures as appropriate to provide security for key infrastructure and to contribute, as may be requested and within its capabilities, to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance;

“2.   Affirms that the provisions set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007) shall continue to apply to the mission referred to in paragraph 1 above;

“3.   Urges Member States of the African Union to contribute to AMISOM in order to help facilitate the full withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia and help create the conditions for lasting peace and stability there;

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

“5.   Reaffirms its intention to take measures against those who seek to prevent or block 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;

“6.   Looks forward to the Secretary-General’s forthcoming report, due on 10 March 2008, including on specific options to strengthen the ability of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), to support further the full deployment of AMISOM, and to prepare for the possible deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to succeed AMISOM, and affirms its intention to meet again promptly following the release of the report to consider what further action it might take in light of options and recommendations contained within it;

“7.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue and intensify his efforts to promote an ongoing political process which is ultimately inclusive of all, including by assisting the Transitional Federal Institutions’ role in delivering this and services to the Somali people and by working together with the international community, including the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the European Union, and the International Contact Group on Somalia and its members;

“8.   Calls upon all international organisations and Member States to support the SRSG in his work in order to enhance security and bring a comprehensive and lasting peace to Somalia and requests that they work through him at all times so that a co-ordinated effort can be attained;

“9.   Urges the Transitional Federal Institutions and all parties in Somalia to respect the conclusions of the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) and to sustain an equally inclusive ongoing political process thereafter, ultimately involving all stakeholders including political leaders, clan leaders, religious leaders, the business community, and representatives of civil society such as women’s groups and encourages them to unite behind the efforts to promote such an inclusive dialogue;

“10.  Welcomes the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government towards producing a plan for implementing the NRC conclusions including the completion of the constitutional process, and reiterates the need for agreement on a comprehensive and lasting cessation of hostilities and a roadmap of the critical path for the remainder of the transitional process, including free and democratic elections in 2009 as set out in Somalia’s Transitional Federal Charter;

“11.  Emphasizes the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo imposed by resolution 733 (1992), as elaborated and amended by subsequent resolutions, demands that all Member States, in particular those of the region, comply fully with it, and reiterates its intention to consider ways to strengthen its effectiveness;

“12.  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 incidents 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, and welcomes the contribution made by France to protect the World Food Programme naval convoys and the support now provided by Denmark to this end;

“13.  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;

“14.  Strongly supports and encourages the ongoing humanitarian 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;

“15.  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);

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

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For information media • not an official record