LETTER DATED 28 AUGUST 2020 FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
.: General
28 August 2020
Resolution 2540 (2020)
Adopted by the Security Council on 28 August 2020
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions and statements of its President on the situation
in Somalia,
Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
independence, and unity of Somalia, and underscoring the importance of working to
prevent the destabilising effects of regional disputes from spilling over into Somalia,
Expressing serious concern at the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab, as well
as the presence of affiliates linked to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also
known as Da’esh), condemning the attacks by Al-Shabaab in Somalia and the region,
including the attack on 28 December 2019 which killed over 90 people and injured
over 140, expressing concern at the increase in the use of Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDs), and reiterating its determination to support comprehensive efforts to
reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia,
Paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the Somali security forces
and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and in the fight against
Al-Shabaab, commending the contribution of AMISOM to building lasting peace and
stability in Somalia, recognising that security provided by AMISOM continues to
make a significant contribution, and further recognising the need to make
international support for Somali security efforts more efficient and effective,
particularly ahead of the Somali security institutions and forces taking the lead on
security in 2021,
Emphasising the essential role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in
Somalia (UNSOM) in supporting the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its
Federal Member States (FMS) through the provision of strategic advice and good
offices, capacity building, and the coordination of international partners’ support,
including with respect to elections support, underscoring that this mandate is
complementary to the mandates of AMISOM, the United Nations Country Team and
support provided by other international partners, and underlining the importance of
coordination among international partners,
S/2020/854
3/9 20-11303
Expressing its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-
General and head of UNSOM, and for the Special Representative of the Chairperson
of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, and
encouraging efforts to further strengthen relations between the FGS and the United
Nations,
Welcoming Somalia’s attainment of the decision point under the Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries Initiative on 25 March 2020, further welcoming Somalia’s
economic and financial reforms and the development of its ninth National
Development Plan which have underpinned this, including FGS-FMS cooperation,
and recalling that further collaboration on political, security, development and
economic reforms will be essential to meet the Heavily Indebted Poor Countri es
Initiative Completion Point,
Emphasising the importance of a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding and
sustaining peace in Somalia, particularly through the prevention of conflict,
addressing root causes at all stages of conflict, and undertaking political, economic
and security reforms, and promoting social development,
Further welcoming commitments made by Somali stakeholders at the 2019
Somalia Partnership Forum to accelerate security sector, economic and political
reforms, in particular commitments to deepen federalism and conduct elections in
2020/2021 that are free, fair, credible and, welcoming also recent dialogue between
the FGS and FMS, reiterating that elections, which are to be held in 2020/2021,
should be transparent and inclusive, held in accordance with the Provisional Federal
Constitution of Somalia and taking fully into account the recommendations of the
National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) and relevant parliamentary
legislation, and be underpinned by broad based consensus involving all relevant
stakeholders including the FGS, FMS and Parliament, underscoring the importance
of a timely and inclusive electoral process for Somalia’s political stability, and further
reiterating its expectation that future elections in Somalia ensure the representation
of all Somalis, in line with long-standing commitments to conduct one-person-one-
vote elections,
Welcoming progress made in recent meetings between the FGS and FMS,
emphasising the urgency of full cooperation between the FGS and all FMS, noting
the responsibilities of all parties to improve cooperation and engage in discussions
led by the FGS in Dhusamareb, and underlining of the importance of cooperation and
consensus for further progress on key national priorities, including the
implementation of the National Security Architecture, agreement on a federated
justice system, power and resource-sharing, the constitutional review, fiscal
federalism, and the planning and holding of national elections,
Welcoming also the enactment in February 2020 of the Electoral Law, which
represents a significant step forward, and the resolution of key outstanding issues by
the Somali Federal Parliament, in collaboration with the NIEC, including the
definition of constituencies, allocation of seats to constituencies, implementation of
the 30 percent quota of seats for women to which Somalia has committed and
representation of Benadir and “Somaliland”, and noting the importance of timely
donor support once an implementable, affordable and democratic electoral model has
been agreed,
Further reaffirming the importance of inclusive politics and democratic
elections in ensuring long-term peace and stability in Somalia, underlining the need
for swift implementation of the jointly agreed Mutual Accountability Framework,
including the political, economic and security milestones, and recognising that the
S/2020/854
20-11303 4/9
FGS has the primary responsibility to deliver Somalia’s commitments in close
cooperation with FMS,
Expressing concern about delays in consolidating Somalia’s federal system and
underscoring the importance of progress on key priorities, including power and
resource-sharing, shared responsibilities for security, the constitutional review and
fiscal federalism, all of which require political agreements that can form the basis for
legislation in the Federal Parliament,
Recognising reconciliation efforts in Galmudug, reaffirming the importance of
continued peace and reconciliation in Jubaland, underlining the importance of
dialogue and local reconciliation processes to stability in Somalia, and further
reaffirming the importance of leadership from the FGS and engagement by the FMS
in de-escalating tensions and engaging in constructive dialogue,
Welcoming the direct talks between the leaders of Somalia and “Somaliland” in
Djibouti from June 12-15, and encouraging additional technical and political
discussions between the parties to build confidence and strengthen political
coordination,
Welcoming an increased focus on the need to revitalise the high-level meetings
of the Comprehensive Approach to Security through the newly established Security
and Justice Committee progress on security sector reforms, including on electronic
payment of the security forces, human resource management, progress in
implementing the New Police Model, and initial progress in conducting operations
against Al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle, expressing its concern that there have been
further delays to the implementation of the National Security Architecture, the
delivery of the Somali-led Transition Plan, which the FGS has committed to updating
by the end of September 2020, the generation of able, affordable, accountable and
Somali forces, and the integration of regional forces in the federal armed forces,
further expressing concern over the implications of the lack of political dialogue and
rising tensions between the FGS and some of the FMS in delaying a range of security
reforms, and underlining the need to accelerate implementation of security sector
reforms,
Reiterating the need for coordinated engagement among all actors towards
transition to Somali security leadership during 2021, in line with resolution 2520
(2020), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Strategic Concept of
Operations 2018–2021, and the aims set out in the Somali-led Transition Plan, and
emphasising in this regard the importance of the independent assessment with a view
to presenting options to the Security Council on international engagement in security
arrangements in Somalia post-2021, including the role of the UN, in particular that of
UNSOM, AU and international partners, as mandated in its resolution 2520 (2020),
and the need for inclusive discussions with all relevant actors,
Expressing grave concern at ongoing humanitarian crises in Somalia as a result
of the protracted conflict and recurring events including drought, flooding and the
locust infestation, recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic presents an additional
and profound challenge to Somalia’s health system, socio-economic and humanitarian
situation, as well as social cohesion due to increased stigmatisation, expressing
further concern at the number of Somali refugees and increasing number of internally
displaced persons (IDPs), as well as their increasing humanitarian and protection
needs, welcoming the FGS’s recent ratification of the African Union Convention for
the Protection and Assistance of IDPs in Africa (the Kampala Convention), calling on
the FGS to fully implement its provisions and to make progress on its commitment to
deliver durable solutions for displaced persons in Somalia, reaffirming its strong
condemnation of the deliberate targeting of civilians, including humanitarian
S/2020/854
5/9 20-11303
personnel, and civilian objects in situations of armed conflict, as well as the
indiscriminate use of weapons in populated areas and their consequences for the
civilian population, calling upon all parties to the conflict in Somalia to refrain from
such practices in accordance with their obligations under international law,
welcoming the efforts by the FGS, FMS, the United Nations, and the response and
generous support by donors, encouraging further cooperation with international and
national humanitarian actors to relieve immediate need, and underlining the need for
greater and diverse investment in resilience, including for IDPs, in order to reduce
long term need and support Somalia to achieve sustainable development,
Condemning continued violations of international humanitarian law and
violations and abuses of human rights, expressing deep concern in particular at
violations and abuses committed against children and those involving sexual and
gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, recognising that
women and girls are disproportionately affected by these violations and abuses in
Somalia, recalling the 2020 Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict
(S/2020/174), resolution 1325 (2000) and all subsequent resolutions on Women,
Peace and Security, encouraging the swift enactment of the Somali Child Rights Act,
underscoring the need to respect, protect and promote human rights, end impunity,
and hold accountable those responsible for violations or abuses of human rights and
violations of international humanitarian law, and reaffirming its support for the United
Nations’ zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse,
Recalling resolution 2532 (2020) demanding a general and immediate cessation
of hostilities in all situations on the Council’s agenda, as well as calling upon all
parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for
at least 90 consecutive days, in order to enable the safe, timely, unhindered and
sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance in accordance with the humanitarian
principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence,
Expressing deep concern about the serious humanitarian threat posed to
civilians by landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and IEDs in Somalia, which
causes serious social and economic consequences for the population of Somalia, and
of personnel participating in law enforcement, humanitarian, peacekeeping,
rehabilitation and clearance programmes and operations, recognising that mine action
contributes to the protection of civilians and supports stabilization and peacebuilding
efforts, and underlining the need to accelerate capacity-building measures that aim to
strengthen capacities to mitigate against the threat of landmines, ERW and IEDs in
Somalia,
Further recognising the adverse effects of climate change, other ecological
changes, natural disasters, among other factors, on the stability of Somalia, including
through drought, desertification, land degradation and food insecurity, and recalling
its Presidential Statement S/PRST/2011/15,
1. (...) Further decides that UNSOM should continue to coordinate UN efforts,
in full cooperation with the FGS and FMS, with a particular focus on the following
tasks:
(a) provide support to the FGS and the FMS to accelerate Somali
Government-led, inclusive politics, and reach political agreement, in order to deliver
shared political and security commitments, through inclusive regular high-level
dialogue at all levels between the FGS and all FMS;
(b) provide support to efforts undertaken by the FGS and the FMS to pursue
inter- and intra-clan reconciliation at the local, regional and national level, including
efforts in Galmudug and Jubaland, as the basis for long-term stability in Somalia, and
provide support to efforts to strengthen the dialogue between the FGS and
“Somaliland”;
(c) provide support, through the exercise of its good offices and through
technical, operational and logistical assistance to the FGS, the Somali Parliament, the
NIEC, and any other stakeholders with an agreed role in election delivery, in
collaboration with UNSOS, for the delivery of elections which are free, fair, timely,
peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive, incorporating a direct voting component
enabling as many citizens as possible to vote in 2020/2021, in accordance with the
Provisional Federal Constitution of Somalia, and taking fully into account the
perspectives of relevant stakeholders, with a particular focus on supporting the NIEC
at national level and in the FMS, along with local stakeholders to fulfil its independent
constitutional mandate to implement elections as agreed by relevant stakeholders,
continue to support efforts to make progress towards the objective of universal
elections, and support strengthened coordination of international electoral support to
Somalia;
(d) provide technical advice and capacity-building to support the FGS in its
efforts to enable the full, equal and meaningful participation of all Somalis, including
women, youth, minority clans, persons with disabilities, IDPs and Somali refugees in
reconciliation efforts, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and elections, including
supporting Somali commitments to ensure that women fill at least 30 percent of the
seats in both Houses of Parliament, and increasing participation and empowerment of
women, minority communities and other marginalised groups at all decision-making
levels;
(e) provide support to the FGS and the FMS to accelerate implementation of
key security sector reforms, in conjunction with international partners, AMISOM and
UNSOS, including a coherent National Security Architecture with a military and
civilian component, delivery of the Somali-led Transition Plan, agreement on a
federated justice and corrections model, the establishment and strengthening of
effective, accountable and constitutional rule of law institutions;
S/2020/854
7/9 20-11303
(f) provide coordination and strategic advice to improve the operation of the
Comprehensive Approach to Security and collaboration between the FGS and
international partners, as agreed in the Security Pact at the 2017 London Somalia
Conference;
(g) provide support to United Nations entities to ensure system-wide
implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy across all United Nations
support to AMISOM and the Somali security sector, to include a strong focus on
strengthening engagement with the Government, including on implementation of
mitigation, compliance and accountability measures;
(h) provide technical advice and capacity-building support to the
establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and to the FGS, in
particular the Ministry for Women and Human Rights Development, to promote and
protect human rights in Somalia, including to protect women and girls from sexual
and gender based violence, to promote accountability for human rights violations and
abuses, including through working with civil society, reinforcing and aligning human
rights efforts across security-related and humanitarian agendas, and monitor and
include information on the human rights situation in the Secretary-General’s reporting
in accordance with paragraph 16;
(i) provide support, within its mandate and existing resources, to the FGS in
the implementation of the 2019 Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) for
Somalia;
(j) provide support to the FGS to implement Somalia’s National Strategy and
Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, in order to strengthen
Somalia’s capacity to prevent and counter terrorism, including Somalia’s capacity to
address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, in compliance with Somalia’s
obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,
international human rights law and international refugee law, and provide support to
Somalia’s efforts to become a state party to the international counter-terrorism
conventions and protocols;
(k) provide support and strategic policy advice to bolster the FGS’s ability to
deliver services and attract investment, and help the FGS to establish frameworks for
managing resources and power sharing, in order to enable Somalia to strengthen
revenue mobilisation, resource allocation, budget execution, and anti-corruption
measures, as set out in the New Partnership for Somalia;
(l) support Somalia’s efforts to advance 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, working closely with the United Nations Country Team, provide
strategic advice to institutional capacity building in line with the Somalia National
Development Plan, collaborate with the international financial institutions to support
the mobilisation of economic and development assistance, and ensure effective and
integrated cooperation of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes and
promote cooperation with relevant partners, with a view to making maximum use of
development financing in Somalia, including in response to flooding, locusts and the
COVID-19 pandemic;
6. (...) Urges the Somali authorities to create a conducive political and security
climate for inclusive elections across Somalia and at all levels to foster political
pluralism, ensure political space for the role, rights and responsibilities of legally
constituted political parties, including opposition parties, uphold the rights of
freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement, including the
ability of independent journalists to freely operate, and condemn hate speech and
incitement to violence, and calls upon all FMS to allow the NIEC to operate freely in
each FMS to the extent required to deliver an agreed electoral model;
8. Expresses its concern about all violations of international humanitarian
law and violations and abuses of human rights, including those involving sexual and
gender-based violence in conflict, further calls upon all parties to comply with their
obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, as
applicable, in relation to the protection of the civilian population, and civilian objects,
and further reiterates the urgent and imperative need to hold accountable all those
responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses
of human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, including against
journalists and other media professionals and associated personnel;
9.
Langue:Français
Ponctuation: 915533.3
-
https://daccess-ods.un.org/acc.../get?open&DS=S/2020/854&Lang=F
Source de données: ods
