Somali Magazine – The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for a year, until October 31, 2024.
Resolution 2705 was adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, which requests UNSOM to continue to maintain and strengthen its presence across Somalia, in consultation with the federal government of Somalia and Somalia’s federal member states and to continue to strengthen its cooperation with Somalia and the African Union.
It encourages UNSOM to continue to coordinate UN efforts and maximize joint approaches and joint programming in relevant areas to support state-building and peace-building in Somalia.
It recalls the recommendations of the strategic review of UNSOM and calls for their timely implementation, including planning to develop a roadmap for the eventual transition from UNSOM to the UN Country Team, finalizing the UNSOM staffing and configuration review, and toward a common understanding of an end state.
By the terms of the resolution, UNSOM is encouraged to coordinate United Nations efforts and support the Federal Government and Federal Member States in the acceleration of the implementation of the National Stabilization Strategy and State-Level Stabilization Plans and support peacebuilding.
Expressing serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Somalia, the Council, through the resolution, strongly condemns any misuse or obstruction of humanitarian assistance, including violence, attacks, and threats against humanitarian and medical personnel, and against their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities in violation of international law.
Speaking after the vote, Anna Evstigneeva- Russian Federation said her delegation supported the resolution as Somalia is at an important point in its modern history and the Federal Government is combating many challenges, including the continued arms embargo.
“It is successfully combating extremism. Somalia is experiencing results in State-building and her delegation welcomes Mogadishu’s work in resolving inter-clan conflicts. The Mission’s role is growing, and necessary assistance should be provided within the bounds of its mandate. Interference in the internal affairs of the country, including its legislative work, is unacceptable.”
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China also voted in support of the resolution for the extension of UNSOM in Somalia. However, the Asian economic giant said that the mission must adhere strictly to the Somalia-owned and Somalia-led principle.
“UNSOM must refrain from imposing external solutions. Also stressing the importance of supporting Somalia’s adaption to climate change, he said lack of financial resources is the main bottleneck facing Somalia in that. The UN Council should call on developed countries to provide climate financing that has been delayed for 14 years. If the Council is serious about tackling climate change, it should facilitate concrete actions and real money”.
Mohamed Rabi Yusuf –Somalia revealed that UNSOM’s mandate should reflect the Somalia of today rather not that of 2013.
While welcoming the Council’s initiation of the transition into a United Nations country team presence, he stressed that the fight against terrorism is not won only through military means but also by addressing the drivers of violent extremism, such as lack of economic opportunities.
“There is no peace without development and no development without peace,” he said.
UNSOM must operate and fulfill its mandate in a way that meets the expectations of its Somalia government, including full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
He further added that different interpretations regarding the adopted model of federalism or power-sharing among Somalis should not alter the commitment to a united Somalia.