Security Council resolution 2275 (2016) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until 31 Mar. 2017]
Symbol: S/RES/2275 (2016)
Date: 2016-03-24
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/71 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Somalia.
Subjects: UN Assistance Mission in Somalia|African Union Mission in Somalia|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|ELECTIONS|SECURITY SECTOR REFORM|DISPLACED PERSONS|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                    S/RES/2275 (2016)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               24 March 2016




               Resolution 2275 (2016)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7655th meeting, on
               24 March 2016

                    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,
                     Strongly condemning recent attacks by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab,
               expressing serious concern at the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab, and
               reiterating its determination to support efforts, including through a comprehensive
               approach, to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, in accordance with
               applicable international law, including international human rights law, international
               refugee law and international humanitarian law,
                    Paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union
               Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army personnel in the fight
               against Al-Shabaab,
                     Commending the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
               (UNSOM) in supporting peace and reconciliation, the state formation process and
               the promotion and protection of human rights in Somalia,
                    Expressing its full support for the new Special Representative of the Secretary -
               General and Head of UNSOM, Michael Keating, and the new Special
               Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia
               and the Head of AMISOM, Francisco Caetano José Madeira,
                    Welcoming the holding of the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of
               the Troop and Police Contributing Countries of AMISOM in Djibouti on
               28 February 2016, and their commitment to improving coordination within AMI SOM,
                     Welcoming the decision by the Federal Government of Somalia on an electoral
               model for 2016, commending the leaders of Somalia’s existing and emerging federal
               member states for their efforts to reach a compromise, and recalling the commitment
               of the FGS and the regional state leaders to deliver an electoral process in August
               2016, alongside the development and implementation of a roadmap between now and
               2020, in particular to reach one person, one vote elections by 2020,

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                     Underlining that a professional and inclusive security sector, with full respect
               for human rights and the rule of law, is a crucial part of long -term peace in Somalia
               and is important for conflict prevention,
                     Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s active engagement with the
               Universal Periodic Review process, encouraging full implementation of all accepted
               recommendations, condemning the continued violations and abuses of human rights
               and violations of international humanitarian law in Somalia and underscoring the
               need to end impunity, uphold human rights and to hold accountable those
               responsible for crimes involving violations or abuses of human rights and violations
               of international humanitarian law,

               UNSOM
                     1.   Decides to extend UNSOM’s mandate, as set out in paragraph 1 of
               resolution 2158 (2014) until 31 March 2017;
                    2.    Underscores the importance of UNSOM’s support to the political
               process, including the provision of United Nations good offices functions to support
               the Federal Government of Somalia’s peace and reconciliation process, in particular
               with regard to the completion of the state formation and constitutional review
               processes as well as preparation of an inclusive, free, fair and transparent electoral
               process in 2016 and universal elections by 2020;
                     3.   Welcomes the strong relationship between UNSOM and AMISOM, and
               underlines the importance of both entities continuing to strengthen the relationship
               further;
                     4.    Encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction across Somali civil
               society, including women, youth, business and religious leaders, and to help ensure
               that the views of civil society are incorporated in the various political processes;
                     5.    Requests UNSOM to strengthen further and maintain its presence in all
               capitals of Interim Regional Administrations, subject to United Nations security
               requirements and the security situation, in order to support strategically the political,
               peace and reconciliation process, and security sector reform including by engaging
               with the Interim Regional Administrations in support of a federal structure;
                    6.   Requests the Secretary-General to conduct a review of the United
               Nations presence in Somalia after the 2016 electoral process, to ensure that the
               United Nations is properly configured to support the next phase of state-building in
               Somalia, and to present options and recommendations to the Security Council by
               30 January 2017;
                     7.    Underlines the importance of rapid implementation of the provisions of
               resolution 2245 (2015) including continued efforts to enable UNSOS to respond
               swiftly to the operational demands in Somalia;

               Somalia
                     8.    Welcomes President Hassan Sheikh’s and the Federal Government of
               Somalia’s commitment to an inclusive and credible electoral process in August 2016
               in line with the Mogadishu Declaration of 16 December 2015, calls on all leaders of
               the existing and emerging federal member states to fully cooperate with the Federal
               Government of Somalia in implementing the electoral process, underlines the


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           importance of implementing this commitment, and emphasizes the importance of
           reconciliation across the country as the basis of any long-term approach to stability
           as well as of continued progress towards the objective of universal elections by
           2020, including by ensuring that the National Independent Electoral Commission
           and Boundaries and Federation Committee are operational witho ut further delay;
                 9.   Underlines the urgent need to ensure progress without further delay in
           the Somali-led constitutional review process, in order to establish an effective
           federal political system and a comprehensive reconciliation process that brings
           about national cohesion and integration, further underlines in this regard the
           importance of supporting the peaceful and inclusive completion of the federal state
           formation process and providing effective mediation when necessary, and
           encourages close dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal
           and regional administrations, civil society and the Somali public in this regard, with
           the continued support of international and regional partners;
                 10. Underlines the Council’s expectation that there should be no extension of
           electoral process timelines for either the executive or legislative branches and calls
           on all key actors and institutions in Somalia, including Parliament, to engage
           constructively to ensure progress on Vision 2016 before an electoral process in 2016;
                 11. Underlines the importance of governing in a spirit of national unity in an
           inclusive manner, in order to ensure no further delays in the political process;
                12. Stresses the importance of adhering to the political road map betwee n now
           and 2020, in particular in order to reach one person, one vote elections by 2020;
                 13. Welcomes President Hassan Sheikh’s and the Federal Government of
           Somalia’s commitment to security sector reform, including commitments to increase
           transparency and accountability of security sector financial management and to
           agree on the national security architecture to deliver early implementation of a
           national security policy, and underlines in this regard the need to ensure full
           consultation with, and support from, all Federal states and Interim Regional
           Administrations;
                 14. Underlines the importance of Security Sector Reform, in particular the
           rapid and effective development of the Somali National Army including the planned
           and coordinated integration of regional forces, to help facilitate more effective
           Somali National Army participation in joint operations with AMISOM, so that the
           security forces of the Federal Government of Somalia are able to take on greater
           responsibility in maintaining peace and security and the protection of Somali
           citizens, and further underscores the importance of completing a National Threat
           Assessment, and agreeing and endorsing the National Security Policy by May 2016,
           and calls upon Member States to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s
           efforts in this regard, as appropriate and in line with previous resolutions;
                 15. Welcoming the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and
           emerging Federal states to establish basic policing services across Somalia, as
           outlined in the Heegan (Readiness) Plan in October 2015, including through
           UNSOM/AMISOM’s partnership and welcoming capacity-building for the maritime
           police force in line with resolution 2246 (2015) by the Federal Government of
           Somalia with the support of UNSOM, and looking forward to progress towards its
           implementation;



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                     16. Encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to implement fully the
               Action Plan of its Human Rights Roadmap and establish its National Human Rights
               Commission and to pass legislation, including legislation aimed at protecting human
               rights and investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of crimes involving human
               rights violations;
                     17. Underlines the importance of respect for international humanitarian law
               and the protection of civilians, especially women and children, by all parties to the
               conflict in Somalia;
                     18. Reiterating its concern at the high number of refugees and internally
               displaced persons (IDPs), and the ongoing forced evictions of IDPs in Somalia,
               stresses that any eviction should be consistent with relevant national and
               international frameworks, calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia and all
               relevant actors to strive to provide concrete durable solutions for internal
               displacement, and further calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia and all
               relevant actors to strive to create the conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe,
               dignified and sustainable return of refugees and IDPs with the support of the
               international community;
                     19. Expresses concern at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and its
               impact on the people of Somalia, commends the efforts of the United Nations
               humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian actors to deliver life -saving
               assistance to vulnerable populations, condemns any misuse or obstruction of
               humanitarian assistance, reiterates its demand that all parties allow and facilitate
               full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of aid to persons in need
               across Somalia, underlines the importance of proper accounting in international
               humanitarian support, and encourages national disaster management agencies in
               Somalia to scale up capacity with support from the United Nations to take a stronger
               leadership role in coordination of humanitarian response;
                     20. Reaffirms the important role of women and youth in the prevention and
               resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, stresses the importance of their
               participation in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security,
               notes that women are not adequately represented in most of the assemblies of the
               new interim regional administrations and urges the Federal Government of Somalia
               and Interim Regional Administrations to continue to promote increased
               representation of women at all decision-making levels in Somali institutions
               including through realising the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to
               ensure the reservation of 30% of seats for women in the 2016 elections;
                      21. Welcomes Somalia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the
               Child 1989, encourages full implementation of the Convention as well as
               ratification of or accession to its Optional Protocols, and underscores the need to
               strengthen the legal framework for the protection of children;
                    22. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council regularly
               informed on the implementation of this resolution, including through oral updates
               and no fewer than three written reports, with the first written report by 12 May 2016
               and every 120 days thereafter;
                    23.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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