United Nations Security Council Resolution 2705 – The situation in Somalia (UNSOM)

Resolution 2705 (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,

Underlining the importance of consolidating the peace and security gains made in Somalia,

Commending the support provided by the African Union, the European Union and donors, through the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the United Nations, through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and through its agencies, funds and programmes, by the Panel of Experts on Somalia both to Somalia and the 751 Committee and by Somalia’s bilateral partners,

Emphasising its fundamental objective is to maintain peace and stability in Somalia by supporting state-building and peace-building, and through the advancement of Somalia’s national priorities,

Emphasising the importance of effective and integrated support from the United Nations system and the international community for long-term peace, including through strengthening the capacity building of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity, and support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,

Reiterating the importance of inclusive dialogue and local reconciliation processes for stability in Somalia, and underscoring that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women will help to progress national priorities, and support reconciliation, security and transition from international security support, in line with the Somalia Transition Plan (STP) and National Security Architecture,

Encouraging resumption of dialogue between the FGS and “Somaliland” to build confidence, strengthen political coordination, and advance the state-building agenda,

Expressing its concern about the situation in Laascaanood, situated in the Sool region of Northern Somalia, and surrounding areas, calling on all parties to continue to exercise restraint and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution, and recalling its Press Statement of 7 June 2023 welcoming the efforts and initiatives of the FGS, Ethiopia and clan elders,

Encouraging the FGS to continue engaging with the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission to enhance international support for Somalia’s peace-building objectives, noting the potential of international cooperation and support for peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction and development in Somalia, if provided in line with priorities defined by the FGS, and further noting in this regard the African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUPCRD) policy and the AUPCRD dedicated centre in Cairo,

Expressing grave concern that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region, condemning in the strongest possible terms terrorist attacks in Somalia and neighbouring states, expressing deep concern about the loss of civilian life from these attacks, reiterating its determination to support comprehensive efforts to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, and further expressing concern about the continued presence in Somalia of affiliates linked to ISIL/Da’esh,

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 the 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,

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,

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 weapons, in particular in densely populated areas, and their consequences for the civilian population, calling upon all parties to the conflict to refrain from such practices in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,

Expressing deep concern at the serious threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive remnants of war, and the proliferation of weapons and ammunition, to the civilian population of Somalia, United Nations personnel, African Union troops, and national security forces, which have serious and lasting social and economic consequences, impede sustainable development and inhibit state-building and stabilisation efforts,

Encouraging coordination between the FGS, Somalia’s Federal Member States (FMS), donors and OCHA, as appropriate, to ensure distribution of humanitarian aid, including in-kind aid, is gender- and age-sensitive and responsive to the different needs of the population, and targets appropriately those in vulnerable situations, which may face specific barriers in accessing assistance and protection,

Commending the FGS’ development of its National Adaption Plan Framework, recognising the adverse effects of climate change, environmental degradation, other ecological changes, and natural disasters, among other factors on the humanitarian situation and stability of Somalia, including through floods, drought, desertification, food insecurity, and land degradation, and recalling its Presidential Statement S/PRST/2011/15,

Recalling resolution 2417 (2018) and Presidential Statement S/PRST/2023/4, and the link between armed conflict and conflict-induced food insecurity and the threat of famine,

Noting the importance of effective, strategic communications to the implementation of the UNSOM mandate, and emphasising the need to continue to enhance UNSOM’s capability in this regard, particularly concerning peace-building, state-building, reconciliation, conflict prevention, countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism, civic education, women’s inclusion in political processes, human rights protection, and the youth, peace and security agenda,

Welcoming the cooperation between UNSOM, UNSOS, the United Nations Country Team and ATMIS, underlining the importance of collaborative working between the United Nations, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, other multilateral and bilateral partners and Somalia and encouraging all entities to continue to strengthen the relationship further at all levels, including through the Senior Leadership Coordination Forum,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 9463rd meeting, on 31 October 2023.