Security Council

6127^th Meeting* (AM)

Security Council condemns renewed fighting in somalia, authorizes African

Union peacekeeping force to maintain mandate until 31 january 2010

Condemning the recent resurgence in fighting in Somalia, the Security Council today authorized the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping force there to maintain its existing mandate until 31 January 2010.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1872 (2009) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council called on all Somali parties to support the recent Djibouti Agreement on national reconciliation, and welcomed in that regard President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s call for all opposition groups to support that process.

The Council urged Member States, as well as regional and international organizations, to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM, while noting that the Trust Fund’s existence did not preclude direct bilateral arrangements in support of the Mission.  It also urged the international community to contribute generously to the corresponding Trust Fund for Somali security institutions, and to offer technical assistance for the training and equipping of the country’s security forces.

Following the vote, Uganda’s representative, speaking on behalf of the African Union, said the regional organization would like to see the Council take even stronger action against those elements in Somalia opposing reconciliation, and pledged continued African Union support for that goal.

The Council meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and ended at 10:15.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1872 (2009) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling all its previous resolutions and statements of its President concerning the situation in Somalia,

“Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women and peace and security, 1674 (2006) and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict,

“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,

“Further reaffirming that the Djibouti Agreement represents the basis for a resolution of the conflict in Somalia, and stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions reached through a political process ultimately inclusive of all,

“Welcoming in this regard the election by the Transitional Federal Parliament of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as President of Somalia, the subsequent appointment of a new Unity Cabinet under the Transitional Federal Government, and its relocation to Mogadishu,

“Commending the contribution of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, expressing its appreciation for the continued commitment of troops to AMISOM by the Governments of Uganda and Burundi, and condemning any hostilities towards AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government,

“Commending the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, and reaffirming its strong support for his efforts,

“Stressing the importance of the re-establishment, training, equipping and retention of Somali security forces, which is vital for the long-term stability of Somalia, and welcoming President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s focus on peace through strengthening the security sector, as his Government’s leading priority,

“Reiterating its serious concern at the renewed fighting in Somalia and reaffirming its support for the Transitional Federal Government,

“Reiterating its serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia and calling on all Member States to contribute to current and future consolidated humanitarian appeals,

“Recognizing the commitment of the Transitional Federal Government to address the humanitarian situation in Somalia and encouraging it to continue to work with the United Nations to build the capacity of its institutions to this end,

“Expressing its concern that serious crimes, in particular killing and maiming, have been committed against civilians and humanitarian staff, in the ongoing conflict in Somalia and reaffirming the importance of the fight against impunity,

“Recalling its resolution 1844 (2008), imposing measures against those individuals or entities who have been designated as engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Somalia, acting in violation of the arms embargo or obstructing humanitarian assistance to Somalia,

“Recognizing that the ongoing instability in Somalia contributes to the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, stressing the need for a comprehensive response by the international community to tackle piracy and its underlying causes, and welcoming the efforts of the Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, States and international and regional organizations,

“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report (S/2009/210) and its recommendations for continued action on the political, security and recovery tracks by the Transitional Federal Government with the support of the international community,

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

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

“1.   Calls on all Somali parties to support the Djibouti Agreement, and welcomes in this regard, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s call for all opposition groups to support this process;

“2.   Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Somalia, to work with the international community to continue to facilitate reconciliation;

“3.   Requests the Secretary-General to include in his next report recommendations on ways to strengthen the Djibouti peace process;

“4.   Underlines the crucial importance of all parties taking appropriate measures to ensure, without delay, unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the Somali people;

“5.   Condemns the recent resurgence in fighting and calls for the end of all hostilities, acts of armed confrontation and efforts to undermine the Transitional Federal Government;

“6.   Emphasizes that Somalia’s long-term security rests with the effective development by the Transitional Federal Government of the National Security Force and the Somali Police Force, in the framework of the Djibouti Agreement and in line with a national security strategy;

“7.   Welcomes the International Conference on Somalia held in Brussels on 23 April 2009 in support of the Somali security institutions and AMISOM;

“8.   Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Somali security institutions, and to offer technical assistance for the training and equipping of the Somali security forces, consistent with paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007);

“9.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to assist the Transitional Federal Government in developing the transitional security institutions, including the Somali Police Force and the National Security Force, and further requests the Secretary-General to support the Transitional Federal Government in developing a national security strategy including plans for combating illicit arms trafficking, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), justice and corrections capacities;

“10.  Calls on the Transitional Federal Government to develop, in the context of the national security strategy outlined above, the legal and policy framework for the operation of its security forces including governance, vetting and oversight mechanisms, ensuring respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights;

“11.  Recalls its statement of intent regarding the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation as expressed in resolution 1863 (2009);

“12.  Notes that any decision to deploy such an operation would take into account inter alia the conditions set out in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2009/210);

“13.  Requests the Secretary-General to take the steps identified in his report in paragraphs 82-86, subject to the conditions in his report, and to report on progress by 30 September 2009, and again by 31 December 2009; and expresses its intention to review the situation;

“14.  Affirms that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) and further elaborated upon by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1425 (2002) shall not apply to supplies and technical assistance provided in accordance with paragraph 11 (b) of resolution 1772 (2007) to the Transitional Federal Government for the purposes of the development of its security sector institutions, consistent with the Djibouti peace process and subject to the notification procedure set out in paragraph 12 of resolution 1772 (2007);

“15.  Requests the African Union to maintain and enhance AMISOM’s deployment in Somalia in order to carry out its mandate as set out in paragraph 9 of resolution 1772 (2007), welcomes its efforts to protect the airport, seaport and other strategic areas in Mogadishu; and encourages it to continue to assist the Transitional Federal Government in the establishment of the National Security Force and the Somali Force;

“16.  Decides to authorize the Member States of the African Union to maintain AMISOM until 31 January 2010 to carry out its existing mandate;

“17.  Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide a logistical support package for AMISOM comprising equipment and services but not including the transfer of funds, as described in his letter (S/2009/60) to AMISOM, until 31 January 2010; and further requests the Secretary-General to include in the reports requested in paragraph 13 above an update on the deployment of this package;

“18.  Requests AMISOM to ensure that all equipment and services provided under the support package are used in a transparent and effective manner for their designated purposes, and further requests the African Union to report to the Secretary-General on the usage of such equipment and services in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding to be established between the United Nations and the African Union based on appropriate internal control procedures;

“19.  Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide technical and expert advice to the African Union in the planning and deployment of AMISOM through the existing United Nations planning team in Addis Ababa;

“20.  Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM while noting that the existence of the trust fund does not preclude the conclusion of direct bilateral arrangements in support of AMISOM;

“21.  Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Somalia and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), to coordinate effectively and develop an integrated approach to all activities of the United Nations system in Somalia, to provide good offices and political support for the efforts to establish lasting peace and stability in Somalia and to mobilize resources and support from the international community for both the immediate recovery and long-term economic development of Somalia;

“22.  Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Somalia and UNPOS, to work with the Transitional Federal Government to develop its capacity to address human rights issues and to support the Justice and Reconciliation Working Group to counter impunity;

“23.  Requests the Secretary-General to expedite the proposed deployment of elements of UNPOS and other United Nations offices and agencies, including the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), to Mogadishu consistent with the security conditions, as outlined in his report (S/2009/210);

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

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*     The 6126^th Meeting was closed.

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