UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to authorize the African Union to continue its peacekeeping mission in Somalia until the end of the year, while calling for plans for a follow-up mission, a key step toward the country taking control of its own security.
The British-backed resolution authorizes the AU to continue to deploy up to 12,626 uniformed personnel, including 1,040 police officers, to the temporary peacekeeping mission known as ATMIS until December 31. the UN political mission in Somalia to continue to provide logistical support to the African peacekeeping force.
British Deputy Ambassador James Kariuki told the council after the vote that “the resolution comes at a crucial time in Somalia’s security transition.”
ATMIS will withdraw by the end of the year and the African Union Peace and Security Council has approved the formation of a follow-up mission, he said.
The Security Council welcomed an AU Council communiqué of 1 August proposing an AU-led peacekeeping operation to replace ATMIS.
The resolution asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the head of the AU Commission, in consultation with Somalia and key international parties, to report to the Security Council on the design for the follow-up mission by 15 November.
The financing of the new mission is a key issue and the resolution calls for an update on the estimated costs and resources required by 11 October.
To maintain momentum in the security transition, the resolution encourages Somalia to continue developing and implementing its Security Sector Development Plan so that the country “can ultimately assume full responsibility for, and ownership of, its security.”
Somalia descended into civil war after warring clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The Horn of Africa nation established a functioning transitional government in 2012 and is working to restore stability. in the face of extremist attacks And growing piracy.
The al-Qaeda-linked extremist group al-Shabaab intensified attacks on Somali military bases last year after losing control of a swath of the countryside in a military offensive following the Somali president calls for ‘all-out war’ in 2022 that must be waged against the extremist group.
The resolution adopted on Thursday expresses “serious concern” about the threat posed by al-Shabaab and condemns terrorist attacks in Somalia and neighboring countries. In the latest incident, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for attack on Somali beach hotel On August 2, 37 people were killed and dozens injured.
US Secretary of State John Kelley praised Somalia’s efforts in the fight against al-Shabaab and said ATMIS “will continue to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabaab for the remainder of the year.”
He told the council after the vote that the United States supports “Somalia’s goal of taking greater responsibility for its own security as soon as possible.”
Kelley said ATMIS and the expected UN-authorized follow-on peace support operation “play a critical role in supporting that goal.”
Somali Ambassador Abukar Osman welcomed the council’s adoption of the resolution and thanked members for their continued commitment to defeating al-Shabaab “and achieving lasting peace.”
“Somalia is engaged in rapid offensive operations against al-Shabaab, while simultaneously working to build… capable, inclusive and accountable security forces,” he said.
Osman said the government recognised the need to extend ATMIS until the end of the year to “ensure a smooth transition as we prepare for the post-ATMIS security arrangements in 2025.”
The fight against al-Shabaab requires significant technical assistance and logistical support to build the capacity of the Somali Armed Forces to assume responsibility for the country’s security and pave the way for the AU mission to withdraw and eventually leave the country, the ambassador said.