Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Eugène-Richard Gasana (Rwanda):

On 11 July, the Security Council received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Kay, on the security situation in Mogadishu.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the recent Al-Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu against Villa Somalia, Parliament and members of Parliament in the last week.  The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to both the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Security Forces for their effective response to the attack against Villa Somalia.  The members of the Security Council underlined the urgent need to support the Somali National Security Forces, in order for it to be able to assume full responsibility for security in Mogadishu and beyond.  In that context, members of the Security Council encouraged Member States to make uncaveated contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund to provide support to the Somali National Army, as authorized in resolution 2124 (2013).

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their resolve to continue to stand by the people and Government of Somalia, in the face of deplorable terrorist attacks, as they seek to establish peace and prosperity across their country.

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For information media • not an official record