Security Council

6125^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS RESURGENCE OF FIGHTING IN BELEAGUERED SOMALIA, DEMANDS

THAT OPPOSITION GROUPS IMMEDIATELY PUT DOWN ARMS, JOIN RECONCILIATION EFFORTS

The Security Council this afternoon condemned the recent renewal in fighting in Somalia led by Al-Shabaab and other extremists, which constituted an attempt to remove the legitimate Transitional Federal Government there, and demanded that opposition groups immediately end their offensive, put down their arms, renounce violence and join reconciliation efforts.

In a statement read by this month’s Council President, Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation), the Council urged the international community to provide its full support to the Transitional Federal Government in order to strengthen the national security force and the Somali police force.  It reiterated its support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and condemned any hostilities towards it.

The Council expressed its concern over reports that Eritrea had supplied arms to those opposing the legitimate Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, in breach of the United Nations arms embargo, and called on the Sanctions Monitoring Group to investigate.

The 15-member body reiterated its support for the political process outlined in the Transitional Federal Charter, which provides a framework for reaching a lasting political solution in Somalia.  It stated that the ongoing attempts to take power by force could only delay the political process and prolong the suffering of the Somali people.

The situation in Somalia was last addressed by the Council on 13 May (see Press Release SC/9658, which also contains a summary of the Secretary-General’s latest report on the issue).

The meeting started at 12:40 p.m. and adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2009/15 reads as follows:

“The Security Council reiterates its previous resolutions and presidential statements on Somalia, in particular its resolution 1863 (2009), which reaffirmed the Djibouti Peace Agreement as representing the basis for a lasting resolution of the conflict in Somalia.

“The Security Council reaffirms its support for the Transitional Federal Government as the legitimate authority in Somalia under the Transitional Federal Charter and condemns the recent renewal in fighting led by Al-Shabaab and other extremists, which constitutes an attempt to remove that legitimate authority by force.  The Council demands that opposition groups immediately end their offensive, put down their arms, renounce violence and join reconciliation efforts.

“The Security Council urges the international community to provide its full support to the Transitional Federal Government in order to strengthen the national security force and the Somali police force, reiterates its support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), expresses its appreciation for the contribution of troops by the Governments of Burundi and Uganda, and condemns any hostilities towards AMISOM.

“The Security Council expresses its concern at the loss of life and the worsening humanitarian situation arising out of the renewed fighting, and calls on all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular to respect the security of civilians, humanitarian workers and AMISOM personnel.

“The Security Council also expresses its concern over reports that Eritrea has supplied arms to those opposing the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in breach of the United Nations arms embargo, and calls on the Sanctions Monitoring Group to investigate.

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the political process outlined in the Transitional Federal Charter, which provides a framework for reaching a lasting political solution in Somalia.  The ongoing attempts to take power by force can only delay the political process and prolong the suffering of the Somali people.”

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For information media • not an official record