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Security Council authorizes African-led peace mission in Somalia

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Security Council authorizes African-led peace mission in Somalia

The United Nations Security Council today authorized the African Union to establish a mission in Somalia aimed at helping the war-ravaged country, which has not had a functioning government for over a decade and a half, to achieve national reconciliation and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The United Nations Security Council today authorized the African Union to establish a mission in Somalia aimed at helping the war-ravaged country, which has not had a functioning government for over a decade and a half, to achieve national reconciliation and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Through a unanimous resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter – which allows for enforcement measures – the Council decided that the operation, to be known as AMISOM, will support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia by assisting with the free movement, safe passage and protection of all those involved with the process.

The new mission overrides a previous Council-authorized operation led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body, which had a more limited mandate. It will provide protection to the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to help them carry out their functions of government, and security for key infrastructure.

In addition, AMISOM, will assist to the extent possible, with carrying out the National Security and Stabilization Plan, particularly as regards the re-establishment and training of all-inclusive Somali security forces. Further, the mission will as requested help foster the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance desperately needed in Somalia, which has been hit by the twin scourges of conflict and natural disasters.

In adopting the resolution, the Council stressed the “need for broad-based and representative institutions reached through an all-inclusive political process in Somalia, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter, in order to consolidate stability, peace and reconciliation in the country and ensure that international assistance is as effective as possible.”

It welcomed the initiative of the TFIs to pursue an inclusive intra-Somali political process, citing in particular President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed’s announced intention to convene a national reconciliation congress involving all concerned, including political leaders, clan leaders, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was asked to help the TFIs with the congress while promoting an ongoing all-inclusive political process, and to report on progress within two months.

The resolution also urged States to provide personnel, equipment, services and financial resources for the successful deployment of AMISOM.