United Nations Security Council Resolution 2592 – The situation in Somalia

Resolution 2592 (2021)

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 the destabilising effects of regional disputes from spilling over into Somalia,

Welcoming the agreements reached between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Somalia’s Federal Member States (FMS) on 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021, urging the FGS and FMS to implement these agreements and conduct inclusive elections in 2021, regretting that it was not possible to agree to conduct direct elections in 2020/21, and reiterating its expectation that future elections in Somalia ensure the representation of all Somalis, in line with Somalia’s long-standing commitments to conduct one-person-one-vote elections,

Expressing concern at the violent clashes between and among Somali Security Forces (SSF), opposition forces and clan-aligned militias in February and April 2021, reiterating the importance of peaceful dispute resolution both in the run-up to elections in 2021 and beyond, and reaffirming the importance of inclusive politics, and democratic elections in ensuring long-term peace and stability in Somalia,

Reiterating the importance of dialogue and local reconciliation processes for stability in Somalia, reaffirming the importance of both the FGS and FMS engaging in constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions between them, and encouraging additional technical and political discussions between Somalia and “Somaliland” to build confidence and strengthen political coordination,

Reiterating that the successful and peaceful conduct of elections in 2021 as planned and agreed can enable Somalia to refocus on addressing pressing problems, including among other things, humanitarian needs, the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, trafficking of weapons and ammunition, floods, drought, and COVID-19 and enable all parties to advance Somalia’s national priorities,

Expressing concern about continued delays in consolidating Somalia’s federal system, underscoring the importance of progress on national priorities, including the National Security Architecture, the Somalia Transition Plan (2021) (STP), the ninth National Development Plan and the jointly-agreed Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) (2019), and reaching agreement on a federated police and justice system, fiscal federalism, power- and resource-sharing, and the constitutional review, in this regard welcoming the roadmap agreed on 27 May 2021, urging the FGS and FMS to implement it without delay, and underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaboration if Somalia is to make progress on its national priorities and on wider political, security, social, economic and development reforms necessary to meet the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative Completion Point,

Welcoming the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025 which represents the commitment of the FGS and the United Nations to work together to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for all Somalis in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals,

Underscoring the importance of a holistic approach 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 challenge, including youth employment and the eradication of poverty,

Emphasising the essential role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in supporting the FGS and FMS and other relevant actors through the provision of strategic advice and good offices, capacity building, and the coordination of international partners’ support, including with respect to elections support, underscoring that this mandate is complementary to the mandates of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations Country Team, and support provided by other international partners, and underlining the importance of coordination among international partners,

Expressing its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNSOM, and for the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, and encouraging efforts to further strengthen relations between the FGS and the United Nations and the African Union (AU),

Welcoming the FGS’ continued engagement with the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in order to further bolster international support for Somalia’s peacebuilding objectives,

Reiterating that the immediate and pressing threat to the stability and security of Somalia, to the Somali people and to Somalia’s neighbours is posed by Al-Shabaab, condemning in the strongest possible terms their attacks in Somalia and beyond, expressing deep concern at the loss of civilian life from these attacks, and reiterating its determination to support comprehensive efforts to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia,

Welcoming the response of the international community to address instability and insecurity in Somalia, including violence perpetrated by Al-Shabaab and armed opposition groups, commending the United Nations’ and AU’s leadership of this response and paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by AMISOM and SSF personnel in the fight against Al-Shabaab,

Emphasising the importance of a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Somalia, particularly through the prevention of conflict, addressing the root causes of conflict, and undertaking political, economic and security reforms and promoting social development, and further emphasising the importance of regional and international cooperation to combat arms trafficking, counter terrorism and combat terrorist finances and illicit financial flows,

Reiterating its objective of transferring responsibility for security to Somali authorities, with the aim of Somalia taking the lead in 2021, and achieving full responsibility by the end of 2023, welcoming the publication of the STP in February 2021, underlining the need to accelerate implementation of the STP and security sector reforms and expressing concern that the lack of sustained dialogue on these issues between the FGS and FMS has delayed progress,

Noting the publication of the United Nations-mandated Independent Assessment in January 2021, anticipating the publication of the African Union-mandated Independent Assessment, emphasising the urgent need for coordinated engagement among all stakeholders, especially the United Nations, AU, FGS and donors, on arrangements for security support from 2022 onwards, as outlined in resolution 2568 (2021) and looking forward to the Secretary-General’s proposal, produced jointly with the AU and in consultation with the FGS and donors on the strategic objectives, size and composition of a reconfigured African Union mission from 2022,

Expressing grave concern at ongoing humanitarian crises in Somalia as a result of protracted conflict, recurring events including drought, flooding and locust infestation, and recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic presents an additional and profound challenge to Somalia’s health system, socioeconomic and humanitarian situation, and social cohesion,

Expressing concern at the number of Somali refugees and increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as their increasing humanitarian and protection needs, welcoming in this regard the recent adoption of a National Durable Solutions Strategy (2020–2024), and calling on the Somali authorities to continue to implement the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of IDPs in Africa (the Kampala Convention) and to make progress on their commitments to deliver durable solutions for displaced persons in Somalia,

Recalling the October 2020 United Nations Protection of Civilians Report and reaffirming its strong condemnation of the deliberate targeting of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and civilian objects in situations of armed conflict, as well as the indiscriminate use of weapons in populated areas and their consequences for the civilian population, calling upon all parties to the conflict in Somalia to refrain from such practices in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, welcoming the efforts by the Somali authorities, the United Nations, and the response and generous support by donors, encouraging further cooperation with international and national humanitarian actors to relieve immediate need, and underlining the need for greater and diverse investment in resilience, including for IDPs, in order to reduce long term need and support Somalia to achieve sustainable development,

Expressing deep concern about the serious humanitarian threat posed to civilians by, explosive remnants of war (ERW), including landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia, which causes serious social and economic consequences for the population of Somalia, and to personnel participating in law enforcement, humanitarian, peacekeeping, rehabilitation and clearance programmes and operations, recognising that mine action contributes to the protection of civilians and supports stabilisation and peacebuilding efforts, underlining the need to accelerate measures to strengthen capacities to mitigate against the threat of landmines, ERW and IEDs in Somalia and recalling that Member States are called upon to undertake appropriate measures to promote the exercise of vigilance by their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction and firms incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction that are involved in the sale, supply, or transfer of explosive precursors and materials to Somalia that may be used in the manufacture of IEDs,

Recalling its resolution 2532 (2020) and 2565 (2021) demanding a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on its agenda and reiterating its demand that all parties to armed conflict engage immediately in a durable, extensive and sustained humanitarian pause to facilitate, inter alia, the equitable, safe and unhindered delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in areas of armed conflict,

Condemning continued violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, expressing deep concern in particular at violations and abuses committed against children and those involving sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, recognising that women and girls are disproportionately affected by these violations and abuses in Somalia, recalling the 2020 Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict (S/2020/174) and urging their implementation and the swift enactment of the Somali Child Rights Act, further recalling resolution 1325 (2000) and all subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, and urging the FGS to continue to uphold commitments to ensure equal opportunities for the realisation of women’s political rights, and their full, equal and meaningful participation in public spheres, leadership and decision-making, and 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, and reaffirming its support for the United Nations’ zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse,

Further recognising the adverse effects of climate change, environmental degradation, other ecological changes, natural disasters, among other factors, on the stability of Somalia, including through floods, drought, desertification, land degradation, and food insecurity, and recalling its Presidential Statement S/PRST/2011/15,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8846th meeting, on 30 August 2021.