From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun Jan 18 2009 - 10:55:21 EST
18 January 2009
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/unlogo_blue_sml_en.jpg
Security Council
SC/9574
_____
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Security Council
6068th Meeting (AM)
SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES INTENTION TO ESTABLISH PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN
SOMALIA,
SUBJECT TO FURTHER DECISION BY 1 JUNE, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1863
Renews Authorization for Current African Union Force for Up to Six Months;
Requests Report by 15 April on Security Conditions, Possible Mandate of UN
Force
The Security Council today expressed its intention to establish a United
Nations peacekeeping operation in war-torn Somalia and called on
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to develop, by 15 April, a mandate for the
proposed mission, which would replace an existing African Union force.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1863 (2009), the Council decided that
deploying the proposed mission would “be subject to a further decision of
the Security Council by 1 June 2009”. In the meantime, the
Secretary-General was called on to deliver a report that would include
developments in Somalia, progress towards full deployment of the existing
3,200-strong African Union force, known as AMISOM, and progress in the
political process and security conditions on the ground.
According to the resolution, the report would also set out the mandate for
the proposed mission, whose tasks in and around Somalia’s beleaguered
capitol, Mogadishu, would be to assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid;
protect political actors and Government buildings and staff, and United
Nations staff; monitor implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement and
any subsequent ceasefires and joints security arrangement; and build up
Somali security forces.
The Council requested the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund to
provide financial support to AMISOM until a United Nations peacekeeping
operation could be deployed and to assist in the re-establishment, training
and retention of all-inclusive Somali security forces. The
Secretary-General was also requested to hold a donors conference as soon as
possible to solicit contributions to the trust fund, and the African Union
was asked to consult with him and submit budgetary requests to the fund.
Welcoming AMISOM’s contribution to lasting peace and stability in Somalia,
the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, renewed for up to six
months the authorization of African Union member States to maintain a
mission in that country, and underlined that AMISOM was authorized to take
all necessary measures to provide security for key infrastructure and to
contribute, within its capabilities and mandate, to create the necessary
security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Further by the wide-ranging resolution, the Security Council requested the
African Union to maintain AMISOM’s deployment and to reinforce it to help
achieve the originally mandated force strength of 8,000 troops, “thereby
enhancing the Mission’s capability to carry out its mandate and protect key
installations in Mogadishu, including the airport, seaport and other
strategic areas”.
Welcoming the Secretary-General’s recommendations on strengthening AMISOM
contained in a letter dated 19 December 2008 (document S/2008/804), the
Council welcomed his proposal for immediate in kind enhancement of AMISOM by
transferring assets after the liquidation of the United Nations Mission in
Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). In order for AMISOM’s forces to be
incorporated into the proposed United Nations peacekeeping operation, it
requests the Secretary-General to provide a United Nations logistical
support package to AMISOM, including equipment and services, until 1 June
2009, or until the Council reached a decision on establishing a United
Nations force.
Calling the Council’s unanimous adoption of the resolution “the right step,
in the right direction -- for the time being”, towards addressing the
complex situation in Somalia, that country’s representative said Somalia
would continue to require active attention and urgent measures. It also
required comprehensively addressing the root causes of nearly 20 years of
instability, including the current plague of incidents of piracy and armed
robbery off its coast.
He was concerned that, if the international community placed the
acknowledged priority of a comprehensive peace on the ground ahead of its
efforts to help the Somali Government promote and ensure stability and
political progress in the meantime, “it might take another 10 years”. With
that in mind, the Somali Transitional Government was actively working to
implement the Djibouti Agreement. Still, that accord was complex and, if
the Council waited until all its elements were implemented, he was afraid
Somalia “will miss the boat”. He urged the Council and the wider
international community to ensure the full implementation of the current
resolution.
At the outset of the Council’s work, Council President Jean-Maurice Ripert (
France) noted that this was United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s last
day in the Council. Mr. Ripert regretted his departure and called Mr.
Khalilzad a man of conviction, commitment and great talent. He said that
the role of Permanent Representative of the United States to the United
Nations was not easy and, in his opinion, could be a rather solitary one.
He said Mr. Khalilzad was a skilled and tough negotiator, which all the
Council members appreciated. Following a difficult period, Mr. Khalilzad
had brought the United States closer to the United Nations. Indeed, the
Organization needed the active participation of the United States in its
work. Mr. Ripert, and all the Council members who spoke during the meeting,
expressed appreciation for Mr. Khalilzad’s work and wished him future
success.
Also speaking today were the representatives of the United States, United
Kingdom, Japan, Russian Federation, Mexico, Turkey, Uganda, Libya and
Burkina Faso.
The meeting began at 10:20 a.m., and adjourned at 11:11 a.m.
Background
The Security Council met today to act on a draft resolution (document
S/2009/37), sponsored by Burkina Faso, Burundi, Italy, Libya, Turkey, Uganda
and the United States, which reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia, in
particular resolution 733 (1992), resolution 751 (1992), resolution 1356
(2001), resolution 1425 (2002), resolution 1519 (2003), resolution 1725
(2006), resolution 1744 (2007), resolution 1772 (2007), resolution 1801
(2008), resolution 1811 (2008), resolution 1814 (2008), resolution 1831
(2008), and resolution 1844 (2008) and the statements of its President, in
particular those of 13 July 2006 (S/PRST/2006/31), 22 December 2006
(S/PRST/2006/59), 30 April 2007 (S/PRST/2007/13), 14 June 2007
(S/PRST/2007/19), 19 December 2007 (S/PRST/2007/49), and 4 September 2008
(S/PRST/2008/33),
“Reiterating its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the
situation in Somalia,
“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity,
political independence and unity of Somalia,
“Further reaffirming that the Djibouti Peace Agreement represents the basis
for a resolution of the conflict in Somalia, and stressing the importance of
broad-based and representative institutions reached through a political
process ultimately inclusive of all,
“Welcoming the guiding principles agreed by the parties to the Djibouti
Peace Agreement on 25 November 2008, in particular the establishment of a
Unity Government and an inclusive Parliament,
“Recognizing the need for all parties to contribute to an enhanced political
process, calling on the Somali parties to the Djibouti Peace Agreement to
fulfil their obligations set out therein, and taking note of the request
from the parties for United Nations authorization and deployment of an
international stabilization force,
“Welcoming 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 the Governments of Uganda and Burundi in
Somalia, condemning any hostilities toward AMISOM, and stressing the
importance of reestablishment, training and retention of Somali security
forces,
“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s proposal for a partnership between the
Somali parties, the United Nations, AMISOM and other international partners
to develop a program of assistance to build Somali security capacity,
“Reiterating its serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in
Somalia, and calling on all Member States to contribute to current and
future consolidated humanitarian appeals,
“Recognizing that serious crimes have been committed against civilians in
the ongoing conflict in Somalia and reaffirming the importance of the fight
against impunity,
“Noting the statement and 5-point communiqué of the African Union of 10
December 2008 and 22 December 2008 respectively, whereby the African Union
Peace and Security Council calls for an interim stabilization force in
anticipation of a United Nation peacekeeping operation in Somalia in order
to take over from AMISOM and support the long-term stabilization and
reconstruction of that country,
“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. Welcomes the decision of the African Union that AMISOM will remain in
Somalia until 16 March 2009, and requests the African Union to maintain
AMISOM’s deployment in Somalia and to reinforce that deployment to help
achieve AMISOM’s originally mandated troop strength of 8,000 troops, thereby
enhancing the mission’s capability to carry out its mandate and protect key
installations in Mogadishu, including the airport, seaport and other
strategic areas;
“2. Decides to renew for up to six months from the date of this resolution
the authorization of Member States of the African Union to maintain a
mission in Somalia, which shall be authorized to take all necessary measures
to carry out the mandate set out in paragraph 9 of resolution 1772 (2007);
and underlines, in particular, that AMISOM is authorized to take all
necessary measures to provide security for key infrastructure and to
contribute, as may be requested and within its capabilities and existing
mandate, to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the
provision of humanitarian assistance;
“3. Calls upon the Somali parties and other stakeholders to uphold the
principles of the Djibouti Peace Agreement, to cease hostilities, to ensure
without delay unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the Somali
people, to terminate all acts of armed confrontation, to reach agreement on
permanent ceasefire mechanisms, and to use the Joint Security Committee to
resolve disputes over military issues; and requests the Secretary-General to
report on ways to improve the implementation of the Djibouti Peace
Agreement, including the option of an international peace conference to
include local, regional and international actors;
“4. Expresses its intent to establish a United Nations Peacekeeping
Operation in Somalia as a follow-on force to AMISOM, subject to a further
decision of the Security Council by 1 June 2009;
“5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report for a United Nations
Peacekeeping Operation by 15 April 2009, to include developments in the
situation in Somalia, progress towards the full deployment and strengthening
of AMISOM with a view to transition to a United Nations Peacekeeping
Operation, progress in the political process and security conditions on the
ground, in order to inform the Security Council of his assessment in advance
of the decision referred to in paragraph 4 above and with a view to speedy
deployment;
“6. Further requests the Secretary-General in this report to develop
recommendations on the mandate of such a United Nations Peacekeeping
Operation taking into account the following tasks in Mogadishu and its
environs:
“(a) To facilitate humanitarian assistance and improve humanitarian access,
including by securing key humanitarian infrastructure and maintaining
liaison with all parties to the Djibouti Peace Agreement and related
subsequent agreements, and to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance
to internally displaced persons, children, and other affected persons;
“(b) To assist with the free movement, safe passage and protection of those
involved in the political process, to provide security for key political
infrastructure, and to protect and assist the institutions of a future Unity
Government to help them carry out their functions;
“(c) To monitor, within its capabilities, the implementation of the
cessation of hostilities under the Djibouti Peace Agreement, as well as any
subsequent ceasefire arrangements and joint security arrangements agreed
through the Joint Security Committee (JSC), to liaise with the JSC and
provide technical assistance in the implementation of its functions,
including in the investigation of ceasefire violations, and to support in
the monitoring of illegal weapons traffic by informing the Monitoring Group
of any related information;
“(d) To ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations
personnel and to protect its personnel, facilities, installations, equipment
and mission;
“(e) To assist, in conjunction with regional and international donor
partners and other interested parties, in supporting the effective
re-establishment, training and retention of inclusive Somali security
forces, including military, police, and judiciary;
“7. Affirms that the provisions set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of
resolution 1772 (2007) shall continue to apply;
“8. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund to provide
financial support to AMISOM until a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation is
deployed and to assist in the reestablishment, training and retention of
all-inclusive Somali security forces as provided in paragraph 4 (c) of
resolution 1744 (2007); also requests the Secretary-General to hold a donors
conference to solicit contributions to this trust fund as soon as possible;
further requests the African Union, in consultation with the
Secretary-General, to submit budgetary requests to this trust fund; and
calls upon Member States to contribute to the trust fund, while noting that
the existence of the trust fund does not preclude the conclusion of direct
bilateral arrangements in support of AMISOM;
“9. Stresses the need to create the conditions for the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to make progress on the
political process;
“10. Welcomes the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s
letter of 19 December 2008 on strengthening AMISOM (S/2008/804); recalls
that the Security Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance
of international peace and security and that cooperation with regional and
subregional organizations can improve collective security; further recalls
that in resolution 1772 (2007) it called for planning for possible
deployment of a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation replacing AMISOM and
in resolution 1744 (2007) it took note that AMISOM was intended to
contribute to an initial stabilization phase evolving into a possible United
Nations operation; welcomes in this regard the Secretary-General’s proposal
for immediate in kind enhancement of AMISOM through the transfer of assets
following the liquidation of United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE); and requests the Secretary-General, in order for AMISOM’s forces to
be incorporated into a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation, to provide a
United Nations logistical support package to AMISOM including equipment and
services, as described in paragraphs 7 and 8 of his proposal (S/2008/804)
but not including transfer of funds to AMISOM, until 1 June 2009 or until
the decision referred to in paragraph 4 above, whichever is earlier;
“11. Requests the Secretary-General to oversee the assistance referred to
in paragraph 10 above and further requests the Secretary-General to report
no later than January 30 on the precise equipment and services being
provided and to report to the Security Council at 30-day intervals
thereafter on progress in the deployment of such goods and services;
“12. Requests AMISOM to ensure all equipment and services provided by the
United Nations pursuant to this resolution be used in a transparent and
effective manner for the purposes intended and further requests AMISOM to
report to the Secretary-General on the usage of such equipment and services
in a manner to be detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding between the
United Nations and the African Union based on appropriate internal control
procedures;
“13. Requests the Secretary-General to lend his support to African Union
force generation efforts, to continue to support African Union planning and
deployment preparations through the Secretariat’s Planners team in Addis
Ababa and to continue planning, in close cooperation with the African Union,
for force generation and logistical, administrative, financial and other
arrangements necessary to transition from AMISOM to a United Nations
Peacekeeping Operation;
“14. Calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment, and other
resources to AMISOM; and encourages Member States to cooperate closely with
the African Union, the United Nations, troop contributing countries and
other donors to this end;
“15. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully in the deployment and
operations of AMISOM, in particular by guaranteeing the safety, security,
and freedom of movement of African Union and United Nations personnel as
well as associated personnel throughout Somalia and to comply fully with
their obligations under international law, including international
humanitarian, human rights and refugee law;
“16. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for
Somalia, to coordinate all activities of the United Nations system in
Somalia, 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 immediate recovery and
long-term economic development of Somalia; decides that the United Nations
Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and the United Nations country team
shall continue to promote a lasting peace and stability in Somalia through
the implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement, and to facilitate
coordination of international support to these efforts; and requests the
Secretary-General to conduct immediate contingency planning for the
deployment of United Nations offices and agencies into Somalia;
“17. Demands that all States in the region refrain from any action that
might exacerbate instability in Somalia or the Horn of Africa region, and
reiterates its intention to take measures against those who seek to prevent
or block a peaceful political process, or those who threaten participants in
the political process by force, or those who undermine stability in Somalia
or the region;
“18. Calls upon Member States to contribute to current and future
consolidated humanitarian appeals;
“19. Reaffirms its resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace
and security, and 1674 (2006) and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians
in armed conflict, and stresses the responsibility of all parties and armed
groups in Somalia to take appropriate steps to protect the civilian
population in the country, consistent with international humanitarian, human
rights and refugee law, in particular by avoiding any indiscriminate or
excessive use of force in populated areas;
“20. Reaffirms its resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005) on children and
armed conflict and recalls the subsequent conclusions of the Security
Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict pertaining to parties
to the armed conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2007/14);
“21. Calls upon the Somali parties to make further progress on establishing
joint Transitional Security Forces, which ultimately would assume full
responsibility for providing security in Somalia;
“22. Requests the Secretary-General to advise urgently on the
implementation of his plans to assist the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) in developing
and coordinating, through his Special Representative for Somalia, in
conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), other
international donors, Member States and AMISOM as appropriate, a coherent
strategy and package for command and control, training and equipment to
build Somalia’s joint Transitional Security Forces and Police to an
anticipated strength of some 15,000 personnel, as envisaged in his letter of
19 December 2008 (S/2008/804) and in line with the recommendations of the
TFG/ARS Joint Security Committee, as well as rule of law and correctional
facilities, and other key areas identified by the Somali parties; and calls
upon Member States to contribute to this package;
“23. Calls upon Member States, in response to the Secretary-General’s
letter of 19 December 2008 (S/2008/804), to support strengthening and
building capacity of the Somali government at the federal, state and local
level, particularly in areas of institutional development, human resource
development, public finance management and accountability processes and
support to service delivery;
“24. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s proposal of 19 December 2008
(S/2008/804) to establish within UNPOS a dedicated capacity that would
include expertise in police and military training, planning for future
Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration activities and Security Sector
Reform activities, as well as a rule of law and correction components;
“25. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”
Action
The Council unanimously adopted the text as Security Council resolution 1863
(2009).
Statements after Vote
ZALMAY KHALILZAD ( United States) said it had been a great honour to
represent the United States in the Council and thanked all members for the
work that had been done together and for the friendship that had been
developed in dealing with the many challenges faced. He wished the members
all the best, as the Council continued to deal with its many challenges.
The United States needed the United Nations and the United Nations needed an
active United States.
He also thanked members for the unanimous support for the resolution and
took pride in the role the United States had played in moving Somalia, one
of the most complex situations, to the forefront of the Council’s agenda.
Although the scourge of piracy had been addressed, there was a need for a
comprehensive approach that addressed the root causes of the situation,
including political, humanitarian and security issues. The resolution
provided for the United Nations to back up its commitments with logistical
support of AMISOM. By 1 June, the Council would decide on the establishment
of a United Nations peacekeeping operation. The United States strongly
supported the political process and called on all stakeholders to renounce
violence and engage in a unity Government. The United States also attached
great importance to the establishment under the Djibouti Peace Agreement of
a Joint Somali Security Forces.
KAREN PIERCE ( United Kingdom) said, in Somalia, political, security and
development factors had to be weighed together with the imperative to build
a peace that could be kept. The resolution was a good way forward, as it
took account of several key factors. It enhanced support for AMISOM and
authorized a United Nations logistics mission that would support that
Mission. It also requested the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund
for AMISOM. The assessed contributions needed to be monitored carefully.
She said the resolution also included provisions for taking a second
decision to mandate a United Nations peacekeeping mission. At that time,
her country would look at the situation on the ground, consider whether
there was a sustainable peace to keep, and weigh what was in the best
interest of United Nations peacekeeping overall. The resolution provided
for renewed impetus for implementation of the Djibouti Agreement and
reinforced it. To that end, efforts of the parties would also be necessary.
YUKIO TAKASU ( Japan) said that his delegation shared the serious concern
over the situation in Somalia, including the lack of political stability and
continuing incidents of piracy and robbery off the country’s coast.
Concerted and intensified efforts by the international community were
essential to addressing those concerns. He appreciated the work being
carried out by AMISOM and recognized the need to strengthen that Mission.
He stressed that Japan favoured a two-stage approach, akin to the
recommendations of the Secretary-General, to bring about peace and stability
in Somalia: strengthening AMISOM and, as the necessary conditions were
developed on the ground, establishing a United Nations peacekeeping
operation.
He went on to say that Japan was, therefore, pleased to join in the
unanimous adoption of the current resolution, and would use the occasion to
stress two important principles for establishing a United Nations peace
operation in Somalia and extending the Organization’s support to an
operation that had been authorized, but not established by the Council.
First, the United Nations had learned many important lessons regarding peace
operations through the years, including that, when the Council took a
decision to establish a new operation, it must not only be desirable, but
effectively implementable. It was the Council, not the Secretariat, which
should take primary responsibility for the consequences of such a decision.
Japan would study most closely the assessment of the situation the
Secretary-General would submit in his April report and would subsequently
actively participate in the Council’s discussions on the possible deployment
of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Somalia. Japan believed that
such a decision should be made after careful consideration of the
feasibility and effectiveness of such proposed deployment, so that the
decision could be effectively implemented.
Secondly, he said it was important to respect the competence of the General
Assembly on the financial and administrative aspects of United Nations
peacekeeping operations and other activities, such as AMISOM, which are
authorized by the Organization, but implemented by non-United Nations
entities. Japan would have serious reservations with regard to compromising
the principle of financing only those expenses of United Nations activities
by mandatory assessment -– particularly so if done by the Security Council.
In that regard, the resolution just adopted requested the Secretary-General
to provide a logistical support to AMISOM and Japan considered that such a
support package be carefully reviewed by the General Assembly. Further, the
proposed logistical support package should be implemented in a transparent
and accountable manner.
VITALY CHURKIN ( Russian Federation) said, recently, the Council had been
giving much attention to the situation in Somalia, particularly towards
ensuring political settlement and to deal with ongoing piracy. The
resolution just adopted would further those efforts. The Russian Federation
supported AMISOM and the work that was being carried out in Somalia by the
African Union. It also supported the present resolution’s call for the full
force deployment of AMISOM and for its eventual transformation into a United
Nations-mandated peacekeeping operation.
Overall, the success of such a deployment and transfer of operations would
depend largely on the Somali parties themselves. His delegation supported
the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government to restore peace,
stability and territorial integrity in Somalia. It also supported the
Djibouti Agreement and looked forward to the full implementation of the
current resolution, with the cooperation of the Somali parties, the African
Union and other parties and organizations in the region.
CLAUDE HELLER ( Mexico) said that only through a holistic approach could
conditions be achieved to make peace possible, including security and the
return of refugees and internally displaced persons. Acknowledging the
importance of AMISOM and the commitments shown by Uganda and Burundi, he
said the security situation had worsened significantly. He expressed his
deep concern at the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and crimes
committed against civilians, and, in that regard, underlined the importance
of fighting impunity.
He urged the parties to strengthen the political process and to comply with
their commitments under the Djibouti Peace Agreement. The resolution was an
initial step towards the possible establishment of a United Nations
peacekeeping operation. He hoped the requested Secretary-General’s report
would address the minimum conditions necessary for a United Nations
peacekeeping operation and would study recommendations from the Department
of Peacekeeping Operations. As Chairman of the Somali Sanctions Committee,
he highlighted the importance for neighbouring countries and countries in
the region to step up their efforts to fight the illicit trafficking of arms
and munitions to armed groups in Somalia.
FAZLI ÇORMAN ( Turkey) said his country attached great importance to the
comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia and,
therefore, supported the resolution. Now, more needed to be done by the
Somalis themselves. While appreciating AMISOM’s activities, he expressed
concern at the worsening humanitarian situation and welcomed the
strengthening of AMISOM’s mandate in that regard.
He said the resolution provided for the Council to consider establishment of
a United Nations peacekeeping operation. For its consideration of such a
mission, the security situation on the ground and progress in the peace
process would play a role. He said the Turkish armed forces were prepared
to train prospective peacekeepers. By adopting the resolution, the Council
had done what was necessary. Now, it was time for the parties to the
Djibouti process to seize the opportunity offered.
FRANCIS BUTAGIRA ( Uganda) said that his delegation welcomed the adoption of
the resolution and thanked the United States and all the delegations that
had worked hard to draft the text. He thanked the Council for taking the
decision unanimously and stressed that it was an expression that the United
Nations was exercising its mandated duty to ensure peace, stability and
reconciliation in Somalia. He also said that Uganda was a part of AMISOM
and, therefore, welcomed the current resolution’s two-stage approach, which
called for the strengthening of that African Union Mission ahead of final
decision on transferring the operation to the United Nations.
Addressing the instability on the ground in Somalia –- an acknowledged
abiding concern for some Council members -– he stressed that waiting for a
complete restoration of peace ahead of the deployment of a United Nations
peacekeeping force might not be the best way to ensure success. Rather, in
some cases, it had been shown that the mere presence of United Nations
operations and peacekeeping troops could be an important catalyst for peace
on the ground.
IBRAHIM O. A. DABBASHI ( Libya) said the adoption of the current resolution
was an important step forward to help war-torn Somalia restore real peace,
after nearly two decades of political instability and insecurity. His
delegation had long called for the strengthening of AMISOM and for the
eventual deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force, and was pleased
that the Council had finally taken such a decision. Indeed, the fact that
the situation on the ground in Somalia remained troubling should not hamper
the Council from taking a final decision to re-hat the African Union
peacekeepers. The Council had frequently deployed peacekeepers in fluid
situations with great success. Finally, he said the Council should follow
up this resolution with another text aimed at bolstering the political
process in Somalia, including supporting the Government and other
stakeholders and mechanisms in line with the Djibouti Agreement.
PAUL ROBERT TIENDRÉBÉOGO ( Burkina Faso) said that, for some time now, the
Council had been confronted with a dilemma: how to act effectively in a
chaotic situation. Through the resolution, the Council was laying an
important milestone on the road to peace. He would have liked a firmer
commitment on the intentions currently expressed. However, he supported the
dynamic process, as it took into account African Union recommendations
relating to strengthening AMISOM. He hoped the Council could quickly reach
a decision to establish a United Nations mission and called on donors to
contribute to the trust fund.
JEAN-MAURICE RIPERT ( France), speaking in his national capacity, welcomed
the unanimous adoption of the resolution and thanked Mr. Khalilzad for his
decisive role in moving it forward. Failure to act was not an option in
Somalia, he said. To establish a peacekeeping operation now, when the
situation was not right, however, would have sent the Blue Helmets to
failure and would have created false hope among the population. The
approach of the resolution sent a strong political signal to Somalia, namely
that the Council was ready to create a peacekeeping mission once necessary
conditions had been met.
He said that, after recent major events -– Ethiopia’s withdrawal and the
President’s resignation, as well as the planning for presidential elections
-– it was crucial that Somali parties implement the Djibouti Agreement and
start work on improving security. The resolution provided for support to
AMISOM and supported the Joint Security Force. It called for establishment
of a trust fund and a logistic support package for AMISOM. All that should
be done quickly and with transparency.
ELMI AHMED DUALE ( Somalia) welcomed the adoption of the resolution, calling
it “the right step, in the right direction, for the time being”, towards
addressing the complex situation in Somalia, which would continue to require
active and urgent measures. It also required comprehensively addressing the
root causes of nearly 20 years of instability in that country, which was now
being plagued by ongoing incidents of piracy and armed robbery off its
coast.
While welcoming the Council’s active engagement, he was concerned that, if
the international community placed the acknowledged priority of a
comprehensive peace on the ground ahead of its efforts to help the Somali
Government promote and ensure stability and political progress in the
meantime, “it might take another 10 years”. With that in mind, the Somali
Transitional Government was actively working to implement the Djibouti
Agreement. However, that accord was complex and, if the Council waited
until all its elements were implemented, he was afraid Somalia “will miss
the boat”. He urged the Council and the wider international community to
ensure the full implementation of the current resolution.
* *** *
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----
