United Nations Security Council Resolution 2713 – Peace and Security in Africa

Resolution 2713 (2023)

The Security Council,

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

Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

Commending the progress made in Somalia over the past ten years, and especially over the past two years in the fight against Al-Shabaab,

Emphasising that the purpose of this resolution is to degrade the threat posed by Al-Shabaab,

Degrading the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, and the Arms Embargo on Al-Shabaab,

Expressing grave concern that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region, and further expressing concern about the continued presence in Somalia of affiliates linked to ISIL/Da’esh,

Condemning in the strongest possible terms Al-Shabaab’s terrorist attacks, expressing deep concern at the loss of life from these attacks, further condemning Al-Shabaab’s radicalisation to violent ends and exploitation, including financially of communities, and reiterating its determination to support comprehensive efforts to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab,

Strongly condemning the targeting of civilians, including humanitarian personnel and any unlawful attacks against civilian objects in situations of conflict, as well as the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons, in particular in densely populated areas, and the consequences for the civilian population, and calling upon all parties to the conflict to cease such practices in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,

Recalling the 2023 Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (S/2023/363), and noting with concern the high levels of recruitment of children in armed conflict in violation of international law and high levels of abductions, with Al-Shabaab responsible for almost all cases of child recruitment and abduction of children, and urging the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia (GFRS), and Somalia’s Federal Member States (FMS) and regional governments, 1to further strengthen efforts to address the “six grave violations” against children as identified by the Secretary-General, including by implementing measures in line with resolution 2467 (2019),

Underscoring the importance of a holistic, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, including the full participation of women, to counter terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, conducted in accordance with applicable international law, as well as efforts to address the governance, security, human rights, humanitarian, development and socioeconomic dimensions of the problem, including youth employment and eradication of poverty, and emphasising the importance of regional and international cooperation to counter terrorism, disrupt terrorist finances and illicit financial flows, and stop arms trafficking,

Reiterating that terrorism cannot, and should not, be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, condemning terrorist groups’ attempts to craft distorted narratives that are based on misrepresentation of religion to justify violence and to popularise their attempts to undermine Somalia and the region, expressing concern over their exploitation of information and communication technologies including through the Internet, particularly social media, for terrorist purposes, and supporting the GFRS’s renewed efforts to counter Al-Shabaab’s narratives,

Strongly encouraging Member States to work with the GFRS to prevent Al-Shabaab from using social media platforms for criminal purposes and to counter terrorist propaganda, and strongly encouraging the GFRS to develop a communication strategy and a publicity and outreach mechanism to systematically counter the narratives of Al-Shabaab through audio-visual and social media in a manner consistent with their obligations under international law,

Expressing serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Somalia, encouraging States to scale-up their humanitarian support to Somalia, and calling for all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate, in accordance with relevant provisions of international law, including applicable international humanitarian law, and in a manner consistent with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian emergency assistance (United Nations General Assembly resolution 46/182), including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, the rapid and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance necessary to support persons in need across Somalia,

Recognising the contribution of Somali, African Union, and other forces operating legally in Somalia towards combatting Al-Shabaab, often at great sacrifice, and liberating areas of central Somalia from control by the group, and welcoming Somali and international efforts to bring stabilisation support and services to newly liberated communities,

Urging continued development of a Somalia-led, coordinated approach in developing Somalia’s maritime governance sector, including through the formation of the Maritime Security Working Group, and support of Somalia’s maritime institutions,

Noting with concern smuggling and trafficking of weapons, military equipment and ammunition in contravention of the measures imposed by the Security Council in this and previous resolutions, and urging the GFRS, FMS and Member States to take appropriate measures to identify smugglers and hold them accountable,

Expressing concern about the violation of the charcoal ban by the vessel MV Fox documented by the Panel of Experts on Somalia (Panel), commending the Panel’s investigations into this incident, urging all parties to engage constructively with the Panel and the GFRS on this matter, and reminding all Member States of the provisions in its Implementation Assistance Notice No.1,

Emphasising that its objective, through this resolution, is to continue to update its consolidated framework – drawing on the technical assessments of Somalia’s weapons and ammunition management capability (S/2022/698 and S/2023/676), and taking note of the final report of the Panel (S/2023/724) and recommendations from the United Nations Office on Drugs Crime (UNODC) – to strengthen state- and peace-building, defeat Al-Shabaab and complement the mandates of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS),

Recognising that Al-Shabaab poses a threat to peace and security in Somalia, and that its terrorist and other activities pose a security threat to the region, and underscoring the need to degrade Al-Shabaab through: targeted sanctions, preventing access to weapons and ammunition, disrupting its finances, reducing the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, improving maritime domain awareness and through international collaboration,

Recognising the need to continuously strengthen due process and to ensure that fair and clear procedures exist for delisting individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1844 (2008) as amended,

Determining that Al-Shabaab’s attempts to undermine peace and security in Somalia and the region, including through acts of terrorism, constitute a threat to international peace and security,

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

Adopted by the Security Council at its 9490th meeting, on 1 December 2023.