United Nations Security Council Resolution 2461 – The situation in Somalia

Resolution 2461 (2019)

The Security Council,

Recalling 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, and underscoring the importance of working to prevent destabilizing effects of regional crises and disputes from spilling over into Somalia,

Expressing serious concern at the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab as well as the presence of affiliates linked to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), condemning the recent attacks on 1 January 2019 on the United Nations (UN) compound, the attacks on 22 March and 28 February that killed and injured Somali citizens and attacks in the region, and reiterating its determination to support efforts, to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia in accordance with applicable international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law,

Paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab, commending AMISOM and the Somalia security forces for the provision of security, and recognising that security provided by AMISOM remains critical at this stage,

Emphasising the essential role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and its Federal Member States through the provision of strategic advice and good offices, c apacity building and the coordination of international partners’ support, and underscoring that this mandate is complementary to the mandates of AMISOM, the United Nations Country Team in Somalia and the support provided by other international partners,

Commending the role of UNSOM in carrying out its mandate, reiterating its regret at the decision of the Federal Government of Somalia to expel the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, further reiterating its expectation of full cooperation between Somalia and the UN, including the new SRSG when appointed, and in this regard welcoming the recent commitment by the Federal Government of Somalia and the UN to deepen their partnership, expressing its full support for the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Raisedon Zenenga, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and the Head of AMISOM, Francisco Caetano José Madeira;

Expressing concern over continuing tension between ‘Somaliland’ and Puntland and underlining the importance of the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States to pursue inclusive political dialogue to support the peaceful resolution of disputes that threaten internal peace and security,

Underlining the centrality of an inclusive political settlement in the lead up to the 2020/21 one-person-one-vote elections and the importance of the swift implementation of the political, economic and security milestones in the jointly agreed Mutual Accountability Framework, the conditions-based transition plan with clear target dates with a view to transition of the primary responsibility for security to the Somali security institutions and forces and the implementation plan for the national security architecture, which together lay the political, development and economic milestones for the completion of the political roadmap, recognising that the Federal Government of Somalia has the primary responsibility to deliver these milestones in close cooperation with Federal Member States, underscoring the importance of effective implementation and mutual accountability, emphasisingUNSOM’s central role in supporting implementation, and underlining that able, accountable, acceptable and affordable security and justice sectors, underpinned by a political settlement, are a crucial part of long-term peace in Somalia,

Welcoming progress made in early 2018 by the Federal Government of Somalia on security sector, economic and political reforms, acknowledging commitments made by the Federal Government of Somalia to deepening federalism, conducting one-person-one-vote elections in 2020/2021 that are fully inclusive, credible and peaceful, ensuring the representation of all Somalis, and commitments to the current International Monetary Fund Staff-Monitored programme and a conditions-based transition plan,

Expressing concern about the significant delays towards consolidating Somalia’s federal system and finalisation and adoption by the Parliament of the electoral law, calling upon the Federal Government of Somalia and Parliament to make efforts towards the finalisation of the electoral law, welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s recent visit to Jubbaland and underscoring the importance of progress on key priorities, including power and resource-sharing, the constitutional review, fiscal federalism, development and implementation of the legal framework for the elections, all of which require political agreements that can form the basis for legislation in the Federal Parliament,

Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s development in 2018 of a conditions-based transition plan with clear target dates for the progressive transfer of security from AMISOM to the Somali security institutions and forces, which builds upon the Somalia National Security Architecture endorsed on 8 May 2017 and the Security Pact adopted by the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Members States and all international partners attending the London Somalia Conference on 11 May 2017, and welcoming some moderate progress in implementing the New Police Model,

Expressing its concern that implementation of the National Security Architecture and transition plan has been delayed, stressing the importance of Somali security forces and other stakeholders meeting the conditions within the transition plan including conducting joint operations with AMISOM, consistent with AMISOM’s mandate, calling on Somali leaders to reach further political agreements on related outstanding issues to enable implementation of the National Security Architecture, and reaffirming the importance of the Comprehensive Approach to Security (CAS) as the key mechanism for coordinating international engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia on security sector reform,

Expressing grave concern at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia as a result of the drought and protracted conflict, expressing further concern about the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), condemning in the strongest terms attacks against humanitarian and medical personnel, welcoming the efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, the United Nations and the response and generous support by donors to the humanit arian crisis and continued support to the humanitarian response plan, encouraging further cooperation with international and national humanitarian actors to relieve immediate need and contribute to the strengthening of resilience, including for IDPs,

Condemning the continued violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against children and those involving sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, recalling the 10 December 2017 UN Protection of Civilians Report and the 2017 Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict (S/AC.51/2017/2), expressing concern over violence prior to the South-West State elections and the alleged conduct of the South-West State police forces, calling on the Federal Government of Somalia to fully investigate and hold those responsible to account, underscoring the need to respect, protect and promote human rights, end impunity, and hold accountable those responsible for violations or abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by all state and non-state actors in Somalia and reaffirming support for the United Nations’ zero tolerance on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse;

Recognising the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes, natural disasters among other factors on the stability of Somalia, including through drought, desertification, land degradation and food insecurity, and emphasising the need for adequate risk assessments and risk management strategies by governments and the United Nations relating to these factors, and recalling its Presidential statementS/PRST/2011/15,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8494th meeting, on 27 March 2019.