From: Tsegai Emmanuel (emmanuelt40@gmail.com)
Date: Wed Dec 23 2009 - 16:43:15 EST
23 December 2009
Security Council
SC/9833
------------------------------
*Department of Public Information * News and Media Division * New York*
Security Council
6254th Meeting (AM)
Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Eritrea over Its Role in Somalia,
Refusal to Withdraw Troops Following Conflict with Djibouti
*Resolution 1907 (2009) Stipulates Arms Embargo, Travel Restrictions, Asset
Freezes*
Gravely concerned about findings that Eritrea had provided support to armed
groups undermining peace and reconciliation in Somalia and that it had not
withdrawn its forces following clashes with Djibouti in June 2008, the
Security Council today imposed an arms embargo on that country, in addition
to travel restrictions on and a freeze on the assets of its political and
military leaders.
Adopting resolution 1907 (2009) by a vote of 13 in favour to 1 against
(Libya), with 1 abstention (China) under Chapter VII of the United Nations
Charter, the Council reiterated its demand that Eritrea withdraw its forces
to the positions of the status quo ante in the area where its conflict with
Djibouti had occurred, acknowledge its border dispute and cooperate fully
with the Secretary-General's good offices. It further demanded that the
country cease all efforts to destabilize or overthrow, directly or
indirectly, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
The Council demanded that all States, in particular Eritrea, cease arming,
training and equipping armed groups and their members, including Al-Shabaab,
which aimed to destabilize the region or incite violence and civil strife in
Djibouti. It further demanded that Eritrea cease facilitating travel and
other forms of financial support to individuals or entities designated by
the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) regarding
Somalia and other sanctions committees, in particular the Committee
established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) regarding Al-Qaida and the
Taliban.
Imposing an embargo on arms and associated materiel to and from Eritrea, the
Council called upon all States to inspect all cargo to and from Somalia and
Eritrea, and upon discovery of prohibited items, to seize and dispose of
them. It decided that travel restrictions and an asset freeze should apply
to individuals, including but not limited to, the Eritrean political and
military leadership, so designated by the Committee on Somalia Sanctions, as
well as to governmental and parastatal actors and entities privately owned
by Eritrean nationals living within or outside Eritrean territory, so
designated by the same Committee. Also by the text, the Council expanded
the Committee's mandate to undertake those additional tasks, as well as that
of the Monitoring Group assisting the Committee.
Libya's representative, in explaining his negative vote, said more time and
concerted cooperation were needed to persuade all countries in the Horn of
Africa to establish mechanisms to deal with their problems. Libya had
advocated the use of international legal bodies to resolve border disputes,
which were the main cause of disagreement in the region. Describing the
resolution as unrealistic and too hasty, he said sanctions were not the
ideal way to solve the current problem and their humanitarian effects would
exacerbate current tensions. Libya would have preferred that the Council
wait until the African Union Summit in January, which would consider the
problems of the Horn of Africa.
China's representative said he had abstained from the vote because the
Council should always act prudently in imposing sanctions. The priorities
in the region were dialogue between countries and restraint from violence.
China supported international efforts to encourage reconciliation in
Somalia, but the resolution of that country's problems required the
cooperation of all countries in the region. In addition, the African Union
was better suited to address conflicts in the Horn of Africa through
diplomatic methods.
Djibouti's representative said that, by adopting the resolution, the Council
had further highlighted its growing cooperation with the African Union in
maintaining peace and security on the continent. Noting that the July 2009
African Union Summit in Sirte, Libya, had called upon the Council to impose
sanctions on foreign actors, particularly Eritrea, supporting the efforts of
armed groups to destabilize Somalia, he said Eritrea had also refused to
implement resolution 1862 (2009) regarding its border dispute with
Djibouti. The Government of Djibouti today warmly welcomed justice at last
against the "unprovoked, naked and blatant aggression against my country by
Eritrea almost two years ago". Hopes were high in the Horn of Africa that
today's action would be the beginning of the end to prolonged, destructive,
senseless and wasteful wars and hostilities.
Somalia's representative said Eritrea had been a major negative factor in
prolonging the conflict in his country. Eritrea had been giving refuge and
safe haven to known terrorists, rebels, spoilers and violators of human
rights, whose purpose all along was to destabilize Somalia. It had been
providing, financing and facilitating the flow of arms and other resources
to the extremists and terrorist elements in Somalia, as well as economic,
political, moral and propaganda support to the armed insurgents and
spoilers. However, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia stood
ready to enter into serious dialogue with Eritrea in order to solve any
outstanding matters.
Other speakers welcomed the Council's adoption of the resolution following
the request of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for
Development. Noting that the measures imposed by the resolution were not
comprehensive but targeted and corrective, and that designation of
individuals and entities to be subjected to its measures was in the hands of
the Somali Sanctions Committee, they expressed hope that future actions by
Eritrea would allow the Council to review the measures in a positive way.
Also speaking were the representatives of Uganda, Viet Nam, Austria, Japan,
United Kingdom, Mexico, Turkey and Burkina Faso.
The meeting began at 10:40 a.m. and ended at 11:25 a.m.
*Background*
The Security Council met this morning to consider a draft resolution
submitted by Uganda regarding the situation between Djibouti and Eritrea, as
well as the Djibouti Agreement and Peace Process for a resolution of the
conflict in Somalia. Also before it was a letter dated 15 December from the
Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the Council President (document
S/2009/658), in which he urges Council members to use their influence to
ensure the rejection of the draft in its entirety.
*Action on Draft Resolution*
The Council adopted the draft resolution with 13 members voting in favour
to 1 against ( Libya), with 1 abstention ( China).
The full text of resolution 1907 (2009) reads as follows:
"*The Security Council*,
"*Recalling* its previous resolutions and statements of its President
concerning the situation in Somalia and the border dispute between Djibouti
and Eritrea, in particular its resolutions 751 (1992), 1844 (2008), and 1862
(2009), and its statements of 18 May 2009 (S/PRST/2009/15), 9 July 2009
(S/PRST/2009/19), 12 June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20),
"*Reaffirming* its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and
political independence and unity of Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea,
respectively,
"*Expressing* the importance of resolving the border dispute between
Djibouti and Eritrea,
"*Reaffirming* that the Djibouti Agreement and Peace Process represent the
basis for a resolution of the conflict in Somalia, and further reaffirming
its support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),
"*Noting* the decision of the 13th Assembly of the African Union (AU) in
Sirte, Libya, calling on the Council to impose sanctions against foreign
actors, both within and outside the region, especially Eritrea, providing
support to the armed groups engaged in destabilization activities in Somalia
and undermining the peace and reconciliation efforts as well as regional
stability (S/2009/388),
"*Further noting* the decision of the 13th Assembly of the AU in Sirte,
Libya expressing its grave concern at the total absence of progress
regarding the implementation by Eritrea of, inter alia, resolution 1862
(2009) regarding the border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea
(S/2009/388),
"*Expressing* its grave concern at the findings of the Monitoring Group
re-established by resolution 1853 (2008) as outlined in its December 2008
report (S/2008/769) that Eritrea has provided political, financial and
logistical support to armed groups engaged in undermining peace and
reconciliation in Somalia and regional stability,
"*Condemning* all armed attacks on TFG officials and institutions, the
civilian population, humanitarian workers and the African Union Mission to
Somalia (AMISOM) personnel,
"*Expressing* its grave concern at Eritrea's rejection of the Djibouti
Agreement, as noted in the letter of 19 May 2009, from the Permanent
Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations addressed to the President
of the Security Council (S/2009/256),
"*Recalling* its resolution 1844 (2008) in which it decided to impose
measures against individuals or entities designated as engaging in or
providing support to acts that threaten peace, security and stability in
Somalia, acting in violation of the arms embargo or obstructing the flow of
humanitarian assistance to Somalia,
"*Expressing* its appreciation of the contribution of AMISOM to the
stability of Somalia, and further expressing its appreciation for the
continued commitment to AMISOM by the Governments of Burundi and Uganda,
"*Reiterating* its intention to take measures against those who seek to
prevent or block the Djibouti Peace Process,
"*Expressing its deep concern* that Eritrea has not withdrawn its forces to
the status quo ante, as called for by the Security Council in its resolution
1862 (2009) and the statement of its President dated 12 June 2008
(S/PRST/2008/20),
"*Reiterating* its serious concern at the refusal of Eritrea so far to
engage in dialogue with Djibouti, or to accept bilateral contacts, mediation
or facilitation efforts by sub-regional or regional organizations or to
respond positively to the efforts of the Secretary-General,
"*Taking note* of the letter of the Secretary-General issued on 30 March
2009 (S/2009/163), and the subsequent briefings by the Secretariat on the
Djibouti-Eritrea conflict,
"*Noting* that Djibouti has withdrawn its forces to the status quo ante and
cooperated fully with all concerned, including the United Nations
fact-finding mission and the good offices of the Secretary-General,
"*Determining* that Eritrea's actions undermining peace and reconciliation
in Somalia as well as the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea constitute a
threat to international peace and security,
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