United Nations Security Council Resolution 2551 –The situation in Somalia

Resolution 2551 (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, and underscoring the importance of working to prevent destabilising effects of regional disputes from spilling over into Somalia,

Recalling paragraphs 1 to 8 of resolution 2444 (2018), and reaffirming that it will continue to follow developments towards the normalisation of relations between Eritrea and Djibouti and will support the two countries in the resolution of these matters in good faith,

Expressing its support for the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in its efforts to reconstruct the country, counter the threat of terrorism, and stop the movement of illegal arms and armed groups, further expressing its intention to ensure the measures in this resolution will enable the FGS in the realisation of these objectives, noting that the security situation in Somalia continues to necessitate these measures, including strict controls on the movement of arms but affirming that it shall keep the situation in Somalia under constant review and that it shall be prepared to review the appropriateness of the measures contained in this resolution, including any modification, possible benchmarks, suspension or lifting of the measures, as may be needed in light of the progress achieved and compliance with this resolution,

Welcoming the recent increased dialogue between leaders of the FGS and the Federal Member States (FMS), emphasising the importance of co-operation and coordination between the FGS and the FMS and implementation of the National Security Architecture, recalling resolution 2520 and reiterating the importance of further progress on updating, reviewing and implementing the Somalia Transition Plan (STP), and noting that a successful transition to Somali-led security from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as set out under the Transition Pl an, is fundamental to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region,

Condemning Al-Shabaab attacks in Somalia and beyond, expressing grave concern that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region, particularly through its increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and further expressing grave concern at the continued presence in Somalia of affiliates linked to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL also known as Da’esh),

Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable international human rights law, international refugee law, and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,

Welcoming progress made by the FGS on weapons and ammunition management (WAM), including the adoption of the National WAM Strategy, urging continued work codifying and implementing weapons and ammunition management policies including developing an accountable weapons tracing system for all Somali security forces, recognising that effective weapons and ammunition management is the responsibility of the FGS and FMS, and encouraging Somalia’s partners to support the FGS and FMS with this, and in line with Somalia’s National Security Architecture and Transition Plan,

Encouraging the FGS to coordinate with international and regional partners regarding its needs in developing its National Security Forces, noting that these forces require access to weapons and specialist equipment, in accordance with the measures in this resolution, in order to perform their functions effectively,

Condemning the supply of weapons and ammunition supplies to and through Somalia in violation of the arms embargo, especially when they reach Al-Shabaab and affiliates linked to ISIL, and when they undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, as a serious threat to peace and stability in the region, and further condemning continued illegal supply of weapons, ammunition and IED components from Yemen to Somalia,

Recognising that the threat posed by Al-Shabaab to peace, security and stability in Somalia and the region goes beyond the group’s conventional military action and asymmetric warfare, expressing serious concern at Al-Shabaab’s ability to generate revenue as documented in the final report of the Panel of Experts (the Panel) on Somalia (S/2020/949) welcoming the FGS’ efforts to strengthen the Somali Financial Sector to identify and monitor money laundering risks and combat terrorist financing, noting the steps set out by the FGS in the Somalia Transition Plan on institutional capacity building, which seek to develop these capabilities, noting the importance of financial services in enabling Somalia’s economic future, further welcoming efforts by the FGS, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Panel to develop a plan to disrupt Al-Shabaab finances, and urging engagement from the FGS, FMS, Somali financial institutions, the private sector and the international community to support this process,

Welcoming measures taken by the FGS, FMS and United Nations Member States with charcoal destination markets to reduce the export of charcoal, urging monitoring and control of existing charcoal stockpiles at export points, encouraging further development of Somalia’s National Policy on Charcoal which aims to develop the sustainable management of domestic charcoal use expressing concern at continued reports of illegal and unregulated fishing in waters where Somalia has jurisdiction, noting the link between illegal fishing and Al-Shabaab’s ability to generate revenue, encouraging the Somali authorities, with support from the international community, to ensure fishing licenses are issued in accordance with the appropriate Somali legislation, and further encouraging the FGS, FMS and Somali authorities to work with the UNODC, their international partners and other stakeholders to improve maritime domain awareness.

Expressing concern at the continued reports of corruption and diversion of public resources in Somalia, welcoming efforts made by the FGS to reduce corruption including the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Law on 21 September 2019 and establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission, welcoming progress made by the FGS and FMS in strengthening public financial management and the positive work of the Financial Reporting Centre, and calling for the FGS to continue its efforts to address corruption, to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and to continue to accelerate the pace of reform,

Expressing serious concern at the humanitarian situation in Somalia, noting the combined threat posed by flooding, locust infestation and COVID-19 and condemning in the strongest terms any party obstructing the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, any misappropriation or diversion of any humanitarian funds or supplies, and acts of violence against or harassment of humanitarian workers,

Noting the adoption of conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia on 11 August 2020 by the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, further noting with concern reports, including from the Secretary General of the United Nations, which document worrying levels of sexual and gender based violence in Somalia, and urging the Somali authorities to further strengthen efforts to address this, including by implementing measures in line with resolution 2467 (2019).

Taking note with appreciation of the final report of the Panel and the technical assessment mission report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/616), welcoming the increased cooperation between the Panel and the FGS, regretting, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reduced ability of the Panel to visit Somalia and the wider impact of the pandemic on the Panel’s work in 2020, and urging all parties to find a way forward which will enable the Security Council to better assess and monitor compliance with the sanctions regime, and recalling that panels of experts operate pursuant to mandates from the Security Council,

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

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

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8775th meeting, on 12 November 2020