webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2010
All rights reserved
From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Dec 22 2010 - 18:04:23 EST
22 December 2010
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/unlogo_blue_sml_en.jpg
Security Council
SC/10139
_____
Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York
Security Council
6461st Meeting (AM)
Security Council Extends Authorization of African Union
Mission in Somalia until 30 September 2011
Expressing serious concern at continued fighting and condemning terrorist
attacks by armed groups and foreign fighters, the Security Council today
extended its authorization of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
until 30 September 2011.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1964 (2010) under Chapter VII of the United
Nations Charter, the Council requested the African Union to increase
AMISOM's force strength from the current mandated level of 8,000 troops to a
maximum of 12,000.
By other terms of the resolution, the Council requested the
Secretary-General to continue providing the logistical support package for a
maximum of 12,000 AMISOM troops, comprising equipment and services but not
including the transfer of funds until 30 September 2011, while ensuring
accountability and transparency in the expenditure of United Nations funds.
The Council urged Member States and regional and international organizations
to contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations Trust Fund for
AMISOM without caveats, or to make direct bilateral donations in support of
the Mission. It encouraged donors to work closely with the Organization and
the African Union to ensure that the appropriate funds and equipment were
provided promptly, particularly in relation to AMISOM salaries and the costs
of contingent-owned equipment, particularly lethal equipment.
Recalling its "statement of intent" in resolution 1863 (2009) regarding the
establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, the Council noted
that any decision to deploy such an operation would take into account, among
other things, the conditions set out in the Secretary-General's report dated
16 April 2009 (document S/2009/210). It requested the Secretary-General to
take the steps identified in paragraphs 82 to 86 of that report, subject to
the conditions laid out in it.
Following adoption of the text, the representative of Uganda welcomed the
Council's response to the African Union's request to increase the strength
of AMISOM. He encouraged Somalia's Transitional Federal Government to
continue its efforts to reach out to those groups willing to cooperate
within the framework of the Djibouti Peace Process. He said it was
essential that the international community continue to support the
Government in building the capacity of security sector institutions, and
crucial that AMISOM receive the essential resources to fulfil its mandate.
Japan's representative noted that, in operative paragraph 3 of the
resolution, the Council noted the African Union's recommendations and
underlined its intention to review the situation on AMISOM. He expressed
hope that the Council would continue consultations on how to provide
predictable support to the Mission.
The meeting began at 10:50 a.m. and ended at 10:56 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1964 (2010) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous resolutions and statements of its President
concerning the situation in Somalia,
"Recalling all its previous resolutions on protection of civilians in armed
conflict, women and peace and security, and children and armed conflict,
"Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity,
political independence and unity of Somalia,
"Reiterating its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the
situation in Somalia,
"Reiterating its full support for the Djibouti Peace Process, which provides
the framework for reaching a lasting political solution in Somalia,
expressing its support for the Transitional Federal Charter, recognizing the
need to promote reconciliation and dialogue among the Somali population and
stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions
reached through a political process ultimately inclusive of all,
"Reaffirming its support for the Transitional Federal Government in its role
as part of the Djibouti Peace Process and stressing the primary
responsibility of the Transitional Federal Institutions to work in a
cohesive and united manner in order to complete the remaining transitional
tasks, in particular the constitution-making process and the delivery of
basic services to the population and encouraging them to intensify their
efforts in this regard,
"Recognizing that peace and stability in Somalia depend on reconciliation
and effective governance across the whole of Somalia, and encouraging all
Somali parties willing to renounce violence to work together to build peace
and stability,
"Commending the contribution of the African Union Mission to Somalia
(AMISOM) to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, expressing its
appreciation for the continued commitment of troops and equipment to AMISOM
by the Governments of Uganda and Burundi, and condemning any hostilities
towards AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government,
"Commending the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Dr.
Augustine Mahiga, and reaffirming its strong support for his efforts,
"Noting the decisions on Somalia adopted by the African Union Summit held in
Kampala, Uganda, on 25-27 July 2010 and the recommendations on Somalia of
the ministerial meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held
in Addis Ababa, on 15 October 2010, and welcoming the appointment of former
President Jerry Rawlings as the African Union High Representative for
Somalia,
"Reaffirming the importance of the re-establishment, training, equipping and
retention of Somali security forces, which is vital for the long-term
stability of Somalia, expressing support for the ongoing EU training mission
in Uganda, and emphasizing the importance of coordinated, timely and
sustained support from the international community,
"Commending Member States and organizations which have made contributions to
support AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government and encouraging the
international community to mobilize additional funding to support AMISOM and
the Transitional Federal Government as appropriate, and recognizing the
importance of timely and predictable funding for the Transitional Federal
Government and AMISOM,
"Encouraging the international community to support further stabilization
efforts in support of areas of relative stability throughout Somalia,
"Reiterating its serious concern at the continued fighting in Somalia and
its impact on the civilian population, condemning all attacks, including
terrorist attacks on the Transitional Federal Government, AMISOM and the
civilian population by armed opposition groups, and foreign fighters,
particularly Al Shabaab, and stressing the terrorist threat that Somali
armed opposition groups, and foreign fighters, particularly Al Shabaab,
constitute for Somalia and for the international community,
"Emphasizing the importance of effective public information and
communications operations to support the Transitional Federal Government and
AMISOM and consolidate the political process, and expressing its serious
concern at the continued attacks against journalists,
"Reiterating its serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in
Somalia, strongly condemning the targeting and obstruction of the delivery
of humanitarian aid by armed groups in Somalia, which has prevented the
delivery of such aid in some areas and deploring the repeated attacks on
humanitarian personnel,
"Expressing its condemnation in the strongest terms of all acts of violence,
abuses and human rights violations committed against civilians, including
women and children, and humanitarian personnel, in violation of
international humanitarian law and human rights law, stressing the
responsibility of all parties in Somalia to comply fully with their
obligations in this regard and reaffirming the importance of the fight
against impunity,
"Expressing its concern at the significant decline in humanitarian funding
for Somalia and calling on all Member States to contribute to current and
future consolidated humanitarian appeals,
"Recalling its resolution 1950 (2010), recognizing that the ongoing
instability in Somalia contributes to the problem of piracy and armed
robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, stressing the need for a
comprehensive response to tackle piracy and its underlying causes, by the
international community and welcoming the efforts of the Contact Group for
Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, States and international and regional
organizations,
"Welcoming the Secretary-General's report dated 9 September 2010
(S/2010/447), and its recommendations for continued action on the political,
security and recovery tracks by the Transitional Federal Government with the
support of the international community,
"Determining that the situation in Somalia constitutes a threat to
international peace and security in the region,
"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
"1. Decides to authorize the member States of the African Union to
maintain the deployment until 30 September 2011 of AMISOM, which shall be
authorized to take all necessary measures to carry out its existing mandate
as set out in paragraph 9 of resolution 1772 (2007);
"2. Requests the African Union to maintain AMISOM's deployment in Somalia,
and to increase its force strength from the current mandated strength of
8,000 troops to 12,000 troops, thereby enhancing its ability to carry out
its mandate;
"3. Notes the recommendations on Somalia by the African Union Peace and
Security Council of 15 October 2010 and underlines its intention to keep the
situation on the ground under review and to take into account in its future
decisions on AMISOM, progress in meeting the following objectives:
(a) significant progress on the remaining transitional tasks by the
Transitional Federal Government, in particular the constitution-making
process and the delivery of basic services to the population;
(b) adoption of a National Security and Stabilisation Plan and the
effective development by the Transitional Federal Government of the National
Security Force and the Somali Police Force, with reinforced chains of
command, in the framework of the Djibouti Agreement and in line with this
Plan;
(c) the continuation and strengthening of reconciliation and political
outreach efforts by the Transitional Federal Government, within the
framework of the Djibouti Agreement, with all groups willing to cooperate
and ready to renounce violence;
(d) with the support of AMISOM, consolidation of security and stability in
Somalia by the Transitional Federal Government on the basis of clear
military objectives integrated into a political strategy;
"4. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for
Somalia, to continue to extend his good offices to facilitate reconciliation
among all Somalis and the peace process in general, with the support of the
international community;
"5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide technical and
expert advice to the African Union in the planning and deployment of AMISOM,
through the United Nations Office to the African Union, including the
revised AMISOM Concept of Operations for future activities;
"6. Requests AMISOM to continue to assist the Transitional Federal
Government in the development of the Somali Police Force and the National
Security Force, and to assist the integration of Somali units trained by
other member States or organizations inside and outside Somalia;
"7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide a logistical
support package for AMISOM called for by resolution 1863 (2009) for a
maximum of 12,000 AMISOM troops, comprising equipment and services,
including public information support, but not including the transfer of
funds, as described in the Secretary-General's letter (S/2009/60) to the
Security Council until 30 September 2011, ensuring the accountability and
transparency of expenditure of United Nations funds as set out in paragraph
6 of resolution 1910 (2010);
"8. Encourages Member States to support AMISOM and the Somali Security
Sector Institutions through the provision of appropriate and necessary
equipment and technical assistance;
"9. Reiterates its call to Member States and regional and international
organizations to contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations
Trust Fund for AMISOM without caveats, or to make direct bilateral donations
in support of AMISOM, and encourages donors to work closely with the United
Nations and African Union in order to ensure that the appropriate funds and
equipment are promptly provided, particularly in relation to the salaries of
AMISOM soldiers, self-sustainment and the costs of contingent-owned
equipment, in particular lethal equipment;
"10. Recalls its statement of intent regarding the establishment of a
United Nations peacekeeping operation as expressed in resolution 1863
(2009), and notes that any decision to deploy such an operation would take
into account inter alia the conditions set out in the Secretary-General's
report dated 16 April 2009 (S/2009/210), and requests the Secretary-General
to take the steps identified in paragraphs 82-86 of his report (S/2009/210),
subject to the conditions in this report;
"11. Emphasizes that in order to ensure Somalia's long-term security
effective development of Somali Security Forces is needed, and reiterates
its call to Member States, regional, and international organizations to
contribute generously and promptly to the United Nations Trust Fund for the
Somali security institutions, and to offer assistance to the Somali security
forces, including through training and equipment in coordination with
AMISOM, consistent with paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007);
"12. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to assist the Transitional
Federal Government in developing the transitional security institutions,
including the Somali Police Force, and the National Security Force, and to
continue to support the Transitional Federal Government in developing a
national security strategy, which reflects respect for the rule of law and
the protection of human rights, including plans for disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration (DDR), justice and corrections capacities,
as well as the legal and policy framework for the operation of its security
forces including governance, vetting and oversight mechanisms;
"13. Reaffirms that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733
(1992) and further elaborated upon by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1425
(2002) shall not apply to supplies and technical assistance provided in
accordance with paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007) to the
Transitional Federal Government for the purposes of the development of its
security sector institutions, consistent with the Djibouti peace process and
subject to the notification procedure set out in paragraph 12 of resolution
1772 (2007);
"14. Reiterates its call on all Somali parties to support the Djibouti
Agreement, and calls for the end of all hostilities, acts of armed
confrontation and efforts to undermine the Transitional Federal Government;
"15. Calls for the immediate cessation of all acts of violence or abuses
committed against civilians, including women and children, and humanitarian
personnel in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights
law and stresses the responsibility of all parties and armed groups in
Somalia to comply with their obligations to protect the civilian population
from the effects of hostilities, in particular by avoiding any
indiscriminate or excessive use of force;
"16. Calls on all parties to end grave violations committed against
children in Somalia, welcomes the commitment by the Transitional Federal
Government to appoint a focal point to address the issue of the recruitment
of child soldiers, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure continued
monitoring and reporting of the situation of children in Somalia, to
continue a dialogue with the Transitional Federal Government towards the
preparation of a time-limited action plan to end the recruitment and use of
child soldiers and to strengthen the child protection component of UNPOS;
"17. Calls on all parties and armed groups to take appropriate steps to
ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and supplies, and
demands that all parties ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the
timely delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance across
the country;
"18. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for
Somalia and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to
redouble their efforts to coordinate effectively and develop an integrated
approach to all activities of the United Nations system in Somalia with due
consideration to the work of humanitarian agencies, to provide good offices
and political support for the efforts to establish lasting peace and
stability in Somalia, and to mobilize resources and support from the
international community for both the immediate recovery and long-term
economic development of Somalia taking into account the recommendations
contained in his report (S/2009/684);
"19. Welcomes the steps taken by UNPOS and other United Nations offices and
agencies, including the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), to
increase the UN presence in Somalia, and encourages further UN deployments
to Somalia, in particular Mogadishu, consistent with the security
conditions, as outlined in his report (S/2010/447);
"20. Requests the Secretary-General to report on all aspects of this
resolution every four months commencing 1 January and expresses its
intention to review the situation, as part of his reporting obligations, as
specified in the statement of the President of the Security Council of 31
October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/30) and Security Council resolutions 1863 (2009),
1872 (2009) and 1910 (2010);
"21. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----