Security Council

6461^st Meeting (AM)

Security Council Extends Authorization of African Union

 

Mission in Somalia until 30 September 2011

 

Expressing serious concern at continued fighting and condemning terrorist attacks by armed groups and foreign fighters, the Security Council today extended its authorization of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 30 September 2011.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1964 (2010) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council requested the African Union to increase AMISOM’s force strength from the current mandated level of 8,000 troops to a maximum of 12,000.

By other terms of the resolution, the Council requested the Secretary-General to continue providing the logistical support package for a maximum of 12,000 AMISOM troops, comprising equipment and services but not including the transfer of funds until 30 September 2011, while ensuring accountability and transparency in the expenditure of United Nations funds.

The Council urged Member States and regional and international organizations to contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM without caveats, or to make direct bilateral donations in support of the Mission.  It encouraged donors to work closely with the Organization and the African Union to ensure that the appropriate funds and equipment were provided promptly, particularly in relation to AMISOM salaries and the costs of contingent-owned equipment, particularly lethal equipment.

Recalling its “statement of intent” in resolution 1863 (2009) regarding the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, the Council noted that any decision to deploy such an operation would take into account, among other things, the conditions set out in the Secretary-General’s report dated 16 April 2009 (document S/2009/210).  It requested the Secretary-General to take the steps identified in paragraphs 82 to 86 of that report, subject to the conditions laid out in it.

Following adoption of the text, the representative of Uganda welcomed the Council’s response to the African Union’s request to increase the strength of AMISOM.  He encouraged Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government to continue its efforts to reach out to those groups willing to cooperate within the framework of the Djibouti Peace Process.  He said it was essential that the international community continue to support the Government in building the capacity of security sector institutions, and crucial that AMISOM receive the essential resources to fulfil its mandate.

Japan’s representative noted that, in operative paragraph 3 of the resolution, the Council noted the African Union’s recommendations and underlined its intention to review the situation on AMISOM.  He expressed hope that the Council would continue consultations on how to provide predictable support to the Mission.

The meeting began at 10:50 a.m. and ended at 10:56 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1964 (2010) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

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

“Recalling all its previous resolutions on protection of civilians in armed conflict, women and peace and security, and 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,

“Reiterating its full support for the Djibouti Peace Process, which provides the framework for reaching a lasting political solution in Somalia, expressing its support for the Transitional Federal Charter, recognizing the need to promote reconciliation and dialogue among the Somali population and stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions reached through a political process ultimately inclusive of all,

“Reaffirming its support for the Transitional Federal Government in its role as part of the Djibouti Peace Process and stressing the primary responsibility of the Transitional Federal Institutions to work in a cohesive and united manner in order to complete the remaining transitional tasks, in particular the constitution-making process and the delivery of basic services to the population and encouraging them to intensify their efforts in this regard,

“Recognizing that peace and stability in Somalia depend on reconciliation and effective governance across the whole of Somalia, and encouraging all Somali parties willing to renounce violence to work together to build peace and stability,

“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 and equipment 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, Dr. Augustine Mahiga, and reaffirming its strong support for his efforts,

“Noting the decisions on Somalia adopted by the African Union Summit held in Kampala, Uganda, on 25-27 July 2010 and the recommendations on Somalia of the ministerial meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held in Addis Ababa, on 15 October 2010, and welcoming the appointment of former President Jerry Rawlings as the African Union High Representative for Somalia,

“Reaffirming the importance of the re-establishment, training, equipping and retention of Somali security forces, which is vital for the long-term stability of Somalia, expressing support for the ongoing EU training mission in Uganda, and emphasizing the importance of coordinated, timely and sustained support from the international community,

“Commending Member States and organizations which have made contributions to support AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government and encouraging the international community to mobilize additional funding to support AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government as appropriate, and recognizing the importance of timely and predictable funding for the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM,

“Encouraging the international community to support further stabilization efforts in support of areas of relative stability throughout Somalia,

“Reiterating its serious concern at the continued fighting in Somalia and its impact on the civilian population, condemning all attacks, including terrorist attacks on the Transitional Federal Government, AMISOM and the civilian population by armed opposition groups, and foreign fighters, particularly Al Shabaab, and stressing the terrorist threat that Somali armed opposition groups, and foreign fighters, particularly Al Shabaab, constitute for Somalia and for the international community,

“Emphasizing the importance of effective public information and communications operations to support the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM and consolidate the political process, and expressing its serious concern at the continued attacks against journalists,

“Reiterating its serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia, strongly condemning the targeting and obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian aid by armed groups in Somalia, which has prevented the delivery of such aid in some areas and deploring the repeated attacks on humanitarian personnel,

“Expressing its condemnation in the strongest terms of all acts of violence, abuses and human rights violations committed against civilians, including women and children, and humanitarian personnel, in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, stressing the responsibility of all parties in Somalia to comply fully with their obligations in this regard and reaffirming the importance of the fight against impunity,

“Expressing its concern at the significant decline in humanitarian funding for Somalia and calling on all Member States to contribute to current and future consolidated humanitarian appeals,

“Recalling its resolution 1950 (2010), 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 to tackle piracy and its underlying causes, by the international community 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 dated 9 September 2010 (S/2010/447), 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.   Decides to authorize the member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment until 30 September 2011 of AMISOM, which shall be authorized to take all necessary measures to carry out its existing mandate as set out in paragraph 9 of resolution 1772 (2007);

“2.   Requests the African Union to maintain AMISOM’s deployment in Somalia, and to increase its force strength from the current mandated strength of 8,000 troops to 12,000 troops, thereby enhancing its ability to carry out its mandate;

“3.   Notes the recommendations on Somalia by the African Union Peace and Security Council of 15 October 2010 and underlines its intention to keep the situation on the ground under review and to take into account in its future decisions on AMISOM, progress in meeting the following objectives:

(a)   significant progress on the remaining transitional tasks by the Transitional Federal Government, in particular the constitution-making process and the delivery of basic services to the population;

(b)   adoption of a National Security and Stabilisation Plan and the effective development by the Transitional Federal Government of the National Security Force and the Somali Police Force, with reinforced chains of command, in the framework of the Djibouti Agreement and in line with this Plan;

(c)   the continuation and strengthening of reconciliation and political outreach efforts by the Transitional Federal Government, within the framework of the Djibouti Agreement, with all groups willing to cooperate and ready to renounce violence;

(d)   with the support of AMISOM, consolidation of security and stability in Somalia by the Transitional Federal Government on the basis of clear military objectives integrated into a political strategy;

“4.   Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Somalia, to continue to extend his good offices to facilitate reconciliation among all Somalis and the peace process in general, with the support of the international community;

“5.   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 United Nations Office to the African Union, including the revised AMISOM Concept of Operations for future activities;

“6.   Requests AMISOM to continue to assist the Transitional Federal Government in the development of the Somali Police Force and the National Security Force, and to assist the integration of Somali units trained by other member States or organizations inside and outside Somalia;

“7.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide a logistical support package for AMISOM called for by resolution 1863 (2009) for a maximum of 12,000 AMISOM troops, comprising equipment and services, including public information support, but not including the transfer of funds, as described in the Secretary-General’s letter (S/2009/60) to the Security Council until 30 September 2011, ensuring the accountability and transparency of expenditure of United Nations funds as set out in paragraph 6 of resolution 1910 (2010);

“8.   Encourages Member States to support AMISOM and the Somali Security Sector Institutions through the provision of appropriate and necessary equipment and technical assistance;

“9.   Reiterates its call to Member States and regional and international organizations to contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM without caveats, or to make direct bilateral donations in support of AMISOM, and encourages donors to work closely with the United Nations and African Union in order to ensure that the appropriate funds and equipment are promptly provided, particularly in relation to the salaries of AMISOM soldiers, self-sustainment and the costs of contingent-owned equipment, in particular lethal equipment;

“10.  Recalls its statement of intent regarding the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation as expressed in resolution 1863 (2009), and 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 dated 16 April 2009 (S/2009/210), and requests the Secretary-General to take the steps identified in paragraphs 82-86 of his report (S/2009/210), subject to the conditions in this report;

“11.  Emphasizes that in order to ensure Somalia’s long-term security effective development of Somali Security Forces is needed, and reiterates its call to Member States, regional, and international organizations to contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Somali security institutions, and to offer assistance to the Somali security forces, including through training and equipment in coordination with AMISOM, consistent with paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007);

“12.  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 to continue to support the Transitional Federal Government in developing a national security strategy, which reflects respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights, including plans for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), justice and corrections capacities, as well as the legal and policy framework for the operation of its security forces including governance, vetting and oversight mechanisms;

“13.  Reaffirms 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 paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 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);

“14.  Reiterates its call on all Somali parties to support the Djibouti Agreement, and calls for the end of all hostilities, acts of armed confrontation and efforts to undermine the Transitional Federal Government;

“15.  Calls for the immediate cessation of all acts of violence or abuses committed against civilians, including women and children, and humanitarian personnel in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law and stresses the responsibility of all parties and armed groups in Somalia to comply with their obligations to protect the civilian population from the effects of hostilities, in particular by avoiding any indiscriminate or excessive use of force;

“16.  Calls on all parties to end grave violations committed against children in Somalia, welcomes the commitment by the Transitional Federal Government to appoint a focal point to address the issue of the recruitment of child soldiers, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure continued monitoring and reporting of the situation of children in Somalia, to continue a dialogue with the Transitional Federal Government towards the preparation of a time-limited action plan to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and to strengthen the child protection component of UNPOS;

“17.  Calls on all parties and armed groups to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and supplies, and demands that all parties ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance across the country;

“18.  Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Somalia and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to redouble their efforts to coordinate effectively and develop an integrated approach to all activities of the United Nations system in Somalia with due consideration to the work of humanitarian agencies, 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 taking into account the recommendations contained in his report (S/2009/684);

“19.  Welcomes the steps taken by UNPOS and other United Nations offices and agencies, including the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), to increase the UN presence in Somalia, and encourages further UN deployments to Somalia, in particular Mogadishu, consistent with the security conditions, as outlined in his report (S/2010/447);

“20.  Requests the Secretary-General to report on all aspects of this resolution every four months commencing 1 January and expresses its intention to review the situation, as part of his reporting obligations, as specified in the statement of the President of the Security Council of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/30) and Security Council resolutions 1863 (2009), 1872 (2009) and 1910 (2010);

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

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For information media • not an official record