Somalia: Security Council Establishes United Nations Assistance Mission in
Somalia
4 May 2013
Document
Acting on the recommendations of United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon, the Security Council today decided to establish the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) by 3 June for an initial period of 12
months, providing the United Nations "good offices" functions -- and a range
of strategic policy advice -- in support of the Federal Government's peace
and reconciliation process.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2102 (2013), the Council decided that the
mandate of UNSOM -- which it intended to renew as appropriate -- would
include the provision of policy advice to the Federal Government and the
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on peacebuilding and
state-building in the areas of: governance, security sector reform and rule
of law (including the disengagement of combatants), development of a federal
system (including preparations for elections in 2016), and coordination of
international donor support.
Among its other mandated functions, UMSOM would help build the Federal
Government's capacity to promote respect for human rights and women's
empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and
gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions. Further, it
would monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on any abuses or
violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law committed in
Somalia, or any abuses committed against children or women.
In such work, the Council underlined the importance of Somali ownership,
requesting the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas
Kay, to align closely United Nations country team activities with the
priorities of UNSOM and the Federal Government, as well as AMISOM, the
Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the European Union and
other regional, bilateral and multilateral partners.
By other terms, the Council decided that UNSOM would be based in Mogadishu
and deployed across Somalia, as requested by the Federal Government and as
conditions permitted, in line with arrangements set out by the
Secretary-General in his 19 April letter to the Council (document
S/2013/239). Further, it recalled provisions in resolution 2093 (2013) in
relation to UNSOM as a structurally integrated United Nations mission,
welcoming the proposed leadership and coordination structures, with a clear
delineation of duties.
For his part, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council
regularly informed of the implementation of UNSOM's mandate, including steps
he was taking to ensure the presence of a structurally integrated mission by
1 January 2014, as well as an assessment on the political and security
implications of wider United Nations deployments across Somalia, with a
first report to be delivered no later than 2 September 2013 and every 90
days thereafter.
In his 19 April letter, the Secretary-General transmitted the results of a
technical assessment mission to Somalia, deployed from 17 to 29 March. He
notes that the team conducted its work on the basis of resolution 2093
(2013), adopted on 6 March, by which the Council defined a new United
Nations presence in Somalia, guided by the Secretary-General's Strategic
Review of the situation. It agreed that the United Nations Political Office
for Somalia (UNPOS) should be replaced by a new special political mission as
soon as possible.
Throughout its encounters, the mission had heard strong support for a United
Nations mandate in all areas identified by resolution 2093 (2013), according
to the letter. The team found the political environment to be extremely
complex, but with "impressive" capacities for peace and dialogue, thanks to
the strong political will of the Federal Government to rebuild the country.
International commitment was critical to ensuring an enabling security
environment.
Those findings depicted an environment in which a new United Nations mission
could "do much good", the letter states. The team's "mission concept"
outlined an approach for providing mandated activities, guided by the
principles of Somali national ownership, flexibility, and collaboration and
partnerships. The letter outlines the core substantive functions of the new
mission in the areas of: political affairs and mediation; rule of law and
security institutions; and human rights and protection, as well as a role
for multidisciplinary task teams to ensure coherence between the United
Nations country team and the mission.
After action, Elmi Ahmed Duale ( Somalia) expressed his full appreciation
for the adoption of an "important" resolution, which would support and
facilitate his Government in achieving its development, governance and
security goals. The resolution also ensured that there was only "one door"
to knock on, as opposed to fragmented approaches, in coordinating
assistance. Indeed, today's action was a "first step" towards more effective
Council support.
Against that backdrop, he called on all partners to abide by the principles
of Somali sovereignty and ownership when extending support for the
development of a Somali future, adding that regional authorities should also
be consulted. Welcoming the emphasis on coordination and urgent action, he
underlined the need for human and financial resources to help Somalia
implement its mandate, drawing attention to the 7 May donor conference in
London. "This year will be an opening of opportunities for Somalia's
development," he declared.
The meeting began at 11:35 a.m. and adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of Security Council resolution 2102 (2013) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling its previous resolutions on the situation in Somalia, in
particular resolution 2093 (2013),
"Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity,
political independence and unity of Somalia,
"Recognising the significant progress in Somalia over the past year, and
recognising the importance of the Federal Government of Somalia, with the
support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations
and international partners, to consolidate security and establish the rule
of law in areas secured by AMISOM and the Security Forces of the Federal
Government of Somalia,
"Underlining the importance of supporting the Federal Government of
Somalia's efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Somalia, including
through effective regional cooperation, and in this regard commending the
role of the African Union (including AMISOM), the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), and other international partners for their
important contributions towards peace and stability in Somalia,
"Welcoming recent progress and positive dialogue between the Federal
Government of Somalia and regional administrations, and stressing the
importance of these administrations cooperating with the Federal Government
of Somalia on peace, provision of basic services, reconciliation and the
rule of law and to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia,
"Emphasising the importance of international support to Somalia's security
and justice institutions, as well as capacity building in maritime security
and public financial management, and looking forward to the 7th May 2013
Conference on Somalia in London to support progress on these issues,
"Expressing concern at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and its
impact on the people of Somalia, commending the efforts of the United
Nations humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian actors to deliver
life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations, condemning any misuse or
obstruction of humanitarian assistance, underlining the importance of the
full, safe, independent, timely and unimpeded access of all humanitarian
actors to all those in need of assistance, and underlining further the
importance of proper accounting in international humanitarian support,
"Condemning the recent terrorist attacks which have undermined peace and
security in Somalia, and reiterating its willingness to take action against
those whose behaviour threatens the peace, stability, or security of
Somalia,
"Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia's commitment to improving human
rights in Somalia, expressing its concern at the reports of violations of
human rights, including extrajudicial killings, violence against women,
children and journalists, arbitrary detention and pervasive sexual and
gender-based violence, particularly in camps for internally displaced
persons, and underscoring the need to end impunity, uphold human rights and
to hold accountable those who commit any such related crimes,
"Underlining the importance of effectively-coordinated international support
to the Federal Government of Somalia in line with the President's Six Pillar
Policy priorities, and in this regard looking forward to the Conference on
Somalia in Brussels scheduled for September 2013,
"Taking note of the Federal Government of Somalia's intention to implement
the "New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States" in Somalia,
"Welcoming the appointment of Mr Nicholas Kay as the Secretary-General's
Special Representative in Somalia (SRSG), and underlining its appreciation
for the outgoing SRSG, Dr Augustine Mahiga for all his efforts towards
greater peace and stability in Somalia,
"Considering the recommendations of the Secretary-General in his letter of
19 April 2013 to the Security Council,
"1. Decides to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
(UNSOM) by 3 June 2013, under the leadership of a Special Representative of
the Secretary-General (SRSG), for an initial period of twelve months with
the intention to renew for further periods as appropriate, and in accordance
with the recommendation of the Secretary-General;
"2. Decides that the mandate of UNSOM shall be as follows:
(a) To provide United Nations "good offices" functions, supporting the
Federal Government of Somalia's peace and reconciliation process;
(b) To support the Federal Government of Somalia, and AMISOM as appropriate,
by providing strategic policy advice on peacebuilding and statebuilding,
including on:
(i) Governance;
(ii) security sector reform, rule of law (including police, justice and
corrections within the framework of the United Nations Global Focal Point),
disengagement of combatants, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration,
maritime security and mine action;
(iii)the development of a federal system; the constitutional review process
and subsequent referendum on the constitution; and preparations for
elections in 2016;
(c) To assist the Federal Government of Somalia in coordinating
international donor support, in particular on security sector assistance and
maritime security, working with bilateral and multilateral partners, and in
full respect of the sovereignty of Somalia;
(d) To help build the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia to:
(i) promote respect for human rights and women's empowerment, including
through the provision of Gender Advisers and Human Rights Advisers;
(ii) promote child protection and to implement the relevant Somali
Government action plans on children and armed conflict, including through
the provision of Child Protection Advisers;
(iii)prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, including
through the provision of Women's Protection Advisers;
(iv) strengthen Somalia's justice institutions and to help ensure
accountability in particular with respect to crimes against women and
children;
(e) To monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on, and help
prevent:
(i) any abuses or violations of human rights or violations of international
humanitarian law committed in Somalia, including through the deployment of
human rights observers;
(ii) any violations or abuses committed against children in Somalia;
(iii)any violations or abuses committed against women, including all forms
of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict;
"3. Underlines the importance of Somali ownership in the context of United
Nations support, and in this regard requests the SRSG to align closely
United Nations Country Team activities in Somalia with the priorities of
UNSOM and to coordinate United Nations activities with the Federal
Government of Somalia, as well as the African Union (including AMISOM),
IGAD, the European Union and other regional, bilateral and multilateral
partners in Somalia;
"4. Decides that UNSOM shall be based in Mogadishu and deployed further
across Somalia, as requested by the Federal Government of Somalia and as
conditions permit, in line with the arrangements set out by the
Secretary-General in his letter of 19 April 2013 to the Council;
"5. Recalls paragraphs 20 and 21 of resolution 2093 (2013) in relation to
UNSOM as a structurally integrated United Nations Mission, welcomes the
proposed leadership and coordination structures, with a clear delineation of
duties as outlined in the Secretary General's letter of 19 April 2013;
"6. Emphasises in particular the need to ensure an integrated United Nations
effort under the strategic direction of the SRSG and for the United Nations
to work in a coordinated manner with AMISOM;
"7. Reiterates that with immediate effect, all appropriate activities of the
United Nations Country Team should be fully coordinated with the SRSG,
including through establishing joint teams and joint strategies, while
ensuring the humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence of
humanitarian assistance;
"8. Stresses the need for the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure that
all perpetrators of serious violations and abuses of human rights and
serious violations of international humanitarian law are held accountable,
and emphasises the importance of UNSOM supporting the Government of Somalia
in developing and implementing a national strategy for preventing and
responding to sexual and gender-based violence;
"9. Encourages the implementation of the Somali Maritime Security Strategy,
developed through the Kampala Process, which will assist the international
community in coordinating with the Somali authorities on Somali maritime
challenges, including capacity-building and development, for the benefit of
the Somali people and in full respect of Somali sovereignty;
"10. Recognises the security constraints outlined by the Secretary-General,
underlines the importance of the safety of United Nations staff, and in this
regard welcomes AMISOM's commitment to provide a guard force of 311 troops
as requested in paragraph 2 of resolution 2093 (2013);
"11. Emphasises the importance of UNSOM adhering to the Secretary-General's
Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy and the United Nations Zero-Tolerance
Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse;
"12. Underlines the importance of UNSOM cooperating with the Somalia and
Eritrea Monitoring Group in the relevant areas of their respective mandates;
"13. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council regularly
informed of the implementation of UNSOM's mandate, including the steps he is
taking to ensure the presence of a structurally integrated mission by 1
January 2014, as well as an assessment on the political and security
implications of wider United Nations deployments across Somalia, with a
first report no later than 2 September 2013 and every 90 days thereafter;
"14. Decides to review the mandate of UNSOM no later than 30 April 2014;
"15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
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Received on Sat May 04 2013 - 09:30:20 EDT
