United Nations Security Council Resolution 2520 – The situation in SomaliaLetter from the President of the Council on the voting outcome (S/2020/459) and voting details (S/2020/466)

Resolution 2520 (2020)

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,

Reiterating that Al Shabaab poses a serious threat to the stability of Somalia and its neighbours, condemning Al Shabaab attacks in Somalia and beyond, expressing deep concern at the loss of civilian life from Al Shabaab attacks, further expressing concern over the presence in Somalia of pro-Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant actors, noting the threat posed by Al Shabaab is evolving and that degrading Al Shabaab and building and sustaining peace will require regional cohesion, a comprehensive strategy, reconfiguration of support, a focus on stabilisation, enhanced efforts across multiple avenues and an integrated and coherent approach among relevant actors,

Underlining its commitment to further strengthen Somalia’s security institutions and forces towards exercising full authority over its own territory and taking the lead in security operations,

Paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces personnel in the fight against Al Shabaab, and commending the contribution of AMISOM to building lasting peace and stability in Somalia,

Welcoming the progress made over the last year including recovering additional territory from Al Shabaab, training Somali security and police forces, steps to de epen Somali security sector reform such as completion of biometric registration of Somali security forces, and finalisation of the Somali-AU-UN Joint Threat Assessment,

Welcoming the support provided by the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) to AMISOM and the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), further welcoming political support provided by UNSOM, and the AU and Somalia’s efforts to convene key stakeholders on future international security support to Somalia post-2021, and the political and financial support from international partners, welcoming the commitment by Somalia and the UN to further strengthen their relationship, reiterating the importance of strong cooperation, and unified command and controlwithin AMISOM, and further reiterating the importance of transparency and accountability with all key partners,

Underlining the importance of reaching an inclusive political settlement between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its Federal Member States (FMS), reiterating the importance of the full implementation of the tasks set out in the Somali-led Transition Plan which sets out the progressive transfer of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security institutions and forces, through operational, supporting and institutional-building activities, and underlines its expectation that the Somali authorities set out their clear vision for security post-2021 and seek support from partners on this vision,

Underlining in this regard the ongoing delays in the implementation of the priority measures and commitments outlined in paragraph 1 and paragraph 24 of resolution 2472 (2019), committed to in the 2019 Mutual Accountability Framework and based on commitments set out in the 2017 Security Pact agreed at the London Somalia conference, and further encouraging progress against these measures,

Emphasising the importance of full cooperation between the FGS and its FMS, noting the responsibilities of all parties to improve cooperation and engage in FGS-led discussions, and underscoring that full cooperation would advance progress on key national priorities including: the implementation of the National Security Architecture; the delivery of tasks set out in the Somali-led Transition Plan; delivery of further financial reforms; the review of the Constitution; and implementation of timely elections by late 2020 or early 2021,

Condemning violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law in Somalia, calling on all parties to act in full compliance with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and further recalling the Working Group Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2017/2),

Expressing grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recognising that the pandemic presents a profound challenge to Somalia’s health system, socio-economic and humanitarian situation, calling for the provision of humanitarian assistance necessary to support Somalia, noting with appreciation the measures taken by AMISOM and the UN to ensure the safety and security of AMISOM and UN personnel whilst maintaining continuity of operations, calling for continued efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, and welcoming the role played by AMISOM in supporting Somali-led disaster management and relief efforts and their efforts to create conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance,

Reaffirming the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stressing the importance of their full, effective and meaningful participation and involvement in all efforts at all levels for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making and leadership with regard to conflict prevention and resolution,

Emphasising the need for adequate risk assessment and risk management strategies by the FGS and the UN, of climate change, other ecological changes, natural disasters, energy access, and other factors on the stability of Somalia,

Taking note of the 2019 Joint AU-UN Review of AMISOM, the African Union Peace and Security Council’s communiqué of 7 May 2020 on the situation in Somalia , and the Secretary-General’s report of 13 May 2020, S/2020/398 on the situation in Somalia,

Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

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

Adopted by the Security Council on 29 May 2020.