Security Council resolution 2408 (2018) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until 31 Mar. 2019]
Symbol: S/RES/2408 (2018)
Date: 2018-03-27
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/73 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Somalia.
Subjects: UN Assistance Mission in Somalia|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|HUMAN RIGHTS|SECURITY SECTOR REFORM|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: EQUATORIAL GUINEA
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: KAZAKHSTAN
vote: yes
country: KUWAIT
vote: yes
country: NETHERLANDS
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: POLAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWEDEN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                      S/RES/2408 (2018)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 27 March 2018




               Resolution 2408 (2018)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8215th meeting, on
               27 March 2018

                    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 destabilizing effects of regional crises and disputes from spilling over into
               Somalia,
                      Strongly condemning recent attacks by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab including
               the terrorist attack of 14 October 2017, which targeted civilians in Mogadishu killing
               in excess of 500 people, and the attacks of 23 February 2018, 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)
               and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, 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 security forces in the fight against Al -Shabaab,
               commending AMISOM and the Somalia security forces for the provision of security
               and recognising that security provided by AMISOM remains critical at this stage,
                     Commending the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
               (UNSOM) in supporting peace and reconciliation, conflict resolution, the state
               formation process, the electoral process, the National Security Architecture
               implementation, a realistic conditions-based transition plan (Transition Plan) with
               clear target dates, and the promotion and protection of human rights and compliance
               with international humanitarian law in Somalia,
                    Expressing its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNSOM, Michael Keating, and the Special Representative of
               the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and the Head of
               AMISOM, Francisco Caetano José Madeira,




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                     Welcoming the progress made since the election of President Mohamed
               Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo on 8 February 2017, including the swift appointment
               of a Government, the increased representation of women in Parliament and
               Government, commitment to economic reforms including those needed to support
               re-engagement with the International Financial Institutions, formal approval of the
               drafting of a National Development Plan and the mobilisation of a coordination
               architecture to support its implementation, agreement on the National Security
               Architecture, development of a Transition Plan, and the political roadmap,
                     Underscoring the need to maintain momentum towards consolidating Somalia ’s
               federal system in this regard, welcoming the commitments of the Federal Government
               of Somalia to one person, one vote elections in 2020/2021, underscoring the
               importance of making progress on the political roadmap, agreement on revenue
               collection and resource sharing, the new policing model, the justice and correction
               model and formalising the status of the Federal Member States as soon as possible,
               and further welcoming the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and
               Federal Member States as set out in the 5 November 2017 consultative meeting to
               reach an agreement on outstanding constitutional issues in close consultation with the
               Parliament within six months,
                     Welcoming the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and the
               Federal Member States to pursue inclusive political dialogue to support the peacef ul
               resolution of disputes that threaten internal peace and security including the recent
               efforts in Gaalkacyo, Marka and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
               (IGAD)-led reconciliation agreement between the Galmudug administration with
               Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) that confirmed Dhusamareb as the administrative
               capital of Galmudug, and expressing concern over continuing tension between
               “Somaliland” and Puntland in Sool and Sanaag,
                     Underlining that a capable, accountable, acceptable and affordable security
               sector, with full respect for human rights and the rule of law, is a crucial part of long -
               term peace in Somalia, noting that progress in improving Somalia’s security needs to
               be accelerated and prioritized, and stressing the importance of stabilisation activities,
               development, and political and economic reforms to a comprehensive approach to
               security,
                     Welcoming in this regard agreement on the Somalia National Security
               Architecture endorsed by the National Security Council on 8 May 2017, the Secur ity
               Pact adopted by the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States and all
               international partners attending the London Somalia Conference on 11 May 2017,
               consistent with the transition of the primary responsibility for security to the Somali
               Security Forces, and the renewed commitment of the Federal Government and Federal
               Member States at the Somalia Security Conference on 4 December 2017,
                    Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s development of a Transition
               Plan with clear target dates, geographical priorities and the operational readiness
               assessment, with a view to conducting a conditions-based, gradual handover of
               security from AMISOM to the Somali Security Forces, including conducting joint
               operations with AMISOM in order to become the pri mary security provider in
               Somalia, and calling for its swift finalisation and implementation,
                    Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia and the international
               community’s commitment to a Comprehensive Approach to Security (CAS) in
               Somalia, and recognizing the need for non-military approaches as part of this
               approach in order to achieve long-term human security for Somalis,
                    Welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s active engagement with the
               Universal Periodic Review process, encouraging full implementation of all accepted


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           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 and fulfil human rights and hold accountab le those
           responsible for crimes involving violations or abuses of human rights and violations
           of international humanitarian law,
                 Recognising that the year ahead should see the swift implementation of critical
           agreements reached in 2017, particularly the outcomes from the December High
           Level Meetings in Mogadishu which agreed a Mutual Accountability Framework
           setting out political, economic and security priorities for 2018, agreed to map a
           conditions-based transition with clear target dates and an implement ation plan for the
           national security architecture which together lay the political, development and
           economic milestones for the completion of the political roadmap, underscoring the
           importance of effective implementation and mutual accountability, and emphasising
           UNSOM’s central role to support implementation,
               Recalling the 10 December 2017 UN Protection of Civilians Report and the
           Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict (S/AC.51/2017/2),
                 Expressing grave concern at the credible and continued risk of famine in
           Somalia as a result of the severe drought in the context of ongoing conflict and
           environmental factors, welcoming the Federal Government of Somalia’s response to
           the humanitarian crisis, and encouraging further cooperation with international and
           national humanitarian actors to relieve immediate need and build longer-term
           resilience, including for internally displaced persons,
                 Recalling its Presidential statement S/PRST/2011/15, recognising the adverse
           effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural disasters among other
           factors on the stability of Somalia, including through drought, desertification, land
           degradation, and food insecurity, and emphasising the need for adequate risk
           assessments and risk management strategies by governments and the United Nations
           relating to these factors;
                 Welcoming the generous support of donors to the Somali authorities and the
           Humanitarian Response Plan, encouraging further contributions to humanitarian
           assistance efforts, and welcoming United Nations’ efforts to coordinate the drought
           response and support the Somali authorities,

           UNSOM
                1.   Decides to extend until 31 March 2019 UNSOM’s mandate as set out in
           paragraph 1 of resolution 2158 (2014);
                 2.    Requests UNSOM to implement its mandate at both the national and
           regional level, including through strengthening further and maintaining its presence
           in all Federal Member States including in Galmudug and its administrative capital
           Dhusamareb, subject to United Nations security requirements and as the security
           situation allows, in order to provide strategic policy advice on the Somali
           Government-led inclusive political process, reconciliation, peacebuilding, state -
           building, including the review of the Provisional Federal Constitution, their
           preparations for the 2020/21 elections, security sector reform and implementation of
           the Transition Plan;
                3.     Underscores the importance of UNSOM’s support to the Somali-Government-led inclusive 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 consolidation of the state
           formation, mediation, prevention and resolution of conflicts, and constitutional
           review processes, resource and revenue sharing, improved accountability of Somali

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               institutions especially on anti-corruption issues, strengthening the rule of law,
               including the development of an effective federal political system, and a federal
               justice system, and implementation of the new policing model in line with the
               Comprehensive Approach to Security;
                     4.    Further underscores the importance of UNSOM’s support to the Federal
               Government of Somalia on preparations for the delivery of an inclusive, credible and
               transparent one person, one vote elections in 2020/2021 with a focus on the National
               Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) at national and sub-national level to fulfil
               its constitutional mandate, in line with the Somali-led Operational Strategic Plan for
               2017–2021, the goal of nationwide voter registration by 2019, and coordination of
               international electoral support to Somalia;
                     5.    Encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction with Somali civil society
               at national and regional level, including women, youth including through the Youth
               Council and the Youth Caucus, business and religious leaders, and to help ensure that
               the views of civil society are incorporated into the various Somali -led, inclusive
               political processes;
                     6.    Requests UNSOM to provide strategic advice to accelerate
               implementation of the Comprehensive Approach to Security, including facilitating
               more effective coordination of international partners’ efforts to support the Security
               Pact, priorities of the Transition Plan, National Security Architecture implementation
               and the New Partnership for Somalia;
                     7.    Requests UNSOM, in coordination with international partners, to continue
               to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts 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, consistent
               with its international obligations, relevant Security Council resolutions and
               implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;
                    8.  Requests UNSOM to support system-wide implementation of the Human
               Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) across all United Nations support to
               AMISOM and the Somali security sector;
                    9.    Welcomes the strong relationship between UNSOM, UNSOS the United
               Nations Country Team and AMISOM, and underlines the importance of all entities
               continuing to strengthen the relationship further at all levels, including through the
               Senior Leadership Coordination Forum;
                     10. Requests UNSOM to continue to implement its mandate in an integrated
               manner, and welcomes the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen strategic
               integration and decision-making across the UN system within respective mandates,
               including with consideration of the role of women and youth;

               Somalia
                     11. Welcomes the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia, in
               accordance with the rule of law, to continue to make progress on inclusive transparent
               and accountable state-building and federalism through the next phase of the
               constitutional review process, including allocation of powers, resource and revenue
               sharing, the development of a political system, and Federal Justice and Corrections
               Model signed on 24 January 2018, further welcomes the commitment of the Federal
               Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States to work closely together
               through the National Security Council mechanism, and with the Parliament on these
               issues, building on the existing work on the constitutional review, and encourages
               dialogue with civil society and the Somali public, including the integration of women
               and youth in this regard;

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                12. Emphasises the importance of reconciliation, including inter and intra -clan
           reconciliation, across the country as the basis of a long-term approach to stability, and
           urges the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States to pursue
           reconciliation talks at local, regional and national level, including a resumption of the
           dialogue with “Somaliland”;
                 13. Welcomes the commitments of the Federal Government of Somalia to one
           person, one vote elections in 2020/2021, the launch of the National Independent
           Electoral Commission strategic plan and the commitment to develop and approve an
           electoral law setting out the legislative framework by the end of 2018, recalls
           PRST/2017/3 in which the Security Council called for active steps to lay the
           foundation for elections in four years, and stresses the importance in this regard of
           the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Me mber States reaching agreement
           on the system of representation, decisions on voter registration, institutional
           development of the NIEC and development and adoption of the Electoral law in 2018;
                 14. Reaffirms the important role of women and youth in the prevention and
           resolution of conflicts, and in peacebuilding, stresses the importance of their full,
           equal and effective participation in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of
           peace and security, notes that women are not adequately represented in governmental
           organisations at regional and national level and urges the Federal Government of
           Somalia and Federal Member States to continue to promote increased representation
           of women at all decision-making levels in Somali institutions;
                 15. Welcomes the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member
           States’ commitment to security sector reform, in particular the historic political
           agreement Somalia’s leaders reached on 16 April 2017 to integrate regional and
           federal forces into a coherent National Security Architecture capable of gradually
           taking on lead responsibility for providing inclusive security, welcomes the
           integration of Puntland security forces into the Somali National Army, the
           establishment and meetings of the National Security Council a nd National Security
           Office, the completion of the national operational readiness assessment, as an
           essential element for the right-sizing and reform of the Somali Security Forces, and
           the commitment to undertake regional operational readiness assessments as soon as
           possible;
                 16. Welcomes the development of a realistic conditions-based Transition Plan
           with clear target dates agreed by the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member
           States and international partners and formalised on 4 December 2017 at th e Security
           Conference in Mogadishu;
                 17. Underlines the importance of swift implementation of the National
           Security Architecture in order to develop Somali-led security institutions and forces,
           both military and civilian, that are capable, affordable, acce ptable and accountable
           with the ability to provide security and protection to the people of Somalia, in
           particular to deliver effective security and protection for women, children and persons
           in vulnerable situations, as part of a comprehensive approach to security, and
           emphasises the vital importance of the rule of law and civilian oversight of security
           forces complying with international humanitarian law and human rights law as
           applicable, in particular with respect to ending and preventing recruitment,
           re-recruitment and the use of children in armed conflict;
                 18. Welcomes the launch of Somalia’s National Strategy and Action Plan for
           Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, the development of Federal Member
           States action plans, and calls upon Somalia to become party to the international
           counter-terrorism conventions and protocols;



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                     19. Welcomes commitments by international partners to provide additional and
               more effective support, including more standardised and more coordinated delivery
               of mentoring, training, equipment, capacity-building, and remuneration of police and
               military forces consistent with the Security Pact agreed at the London Somalia
               Conference and in line with a realistic conditions-based transition plan with clear
               target dates;
                    20. Calls on international partners to strengthen coordination in order to
               harmonise donor support to the Somali security sector, and requests UNSOM to
               continue to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in coordinating international
               donor support to Somalia’s security sector in compliance with HRDDP, including
               through coordination and advice to the comprehensive approach to security structure;
                     21. Welcomes the progress made by the Federal Government of Somalia to
               meet the requirements of the ongoing IMF Staff Monitored Programme, encourages
               the Federal Government of Somalia to continue to fulfil its commitments to sound,
               transparent and accountable financial management including revenue mobilisation,
               resource allocation, budget execution, and anti-corruption measures, as set out in the
               New Partnership for Somalia, and requests UNSOM to continue to work with partners
               to provide support and strategic policy advice to achieve this in order to lay the
               foundations for inclusive and transparent elections, bolster the G overnment’s ability
               to deliver services, attract investment, and help advance Somalia along the path
               towards normalisation with International Financial Institutions and debt relief;
                    22. Expresses concern about all violations of international humanitarian law
               and violations and abuses of human rights including by Al-Shabaab and affiliates
               linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da ’esh) and
               associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, calls on all parties to
               comply immediately with their obligations under international law and to fulfil their
               obligations under international humanitarian law to take all feasible precautions to
               avoid or, in any event minimise civilian deaths and casualties;
                     23. Welcomes the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission,
               and encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to approve the appointment of
               the Commissioners, and implement fully the Action Plan of its Human Rights
               Roadmap, including by implementing legislation aimed at protecting human rights
               and investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of crimes involving violations or
               abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law, and conflict -
               related sexual and gender-based violence;
                     24. 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;
                     25. Reiterates its continued concern at the high number of refugees and
               internally displaced persons (IDPs), including persons newly displaced by the
               drought, expressing its serious concern at 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;
                     26. Expresses grave concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis and renewed
               risk of famine in Somalia and its impact on the people of Somalia, commends the
               efforts of the United Nations humanitarian agencies and their humanitarian partners


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           in preventing famine in 2017, encourages all partners and donors to maintain
           humanitarian efforts in 2018, condemns any misuse or obstruction of humanitarian
           assistance, reiterates its demand that all parties allow and facilitate full, safe, rapid
           and unhindered access for the timely delivery of aid to persons in need across Somalia
           in line with the humanitarian principles, including by dismantling illegal checkpoints
           and removing administrative hurdles, 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 coordination and leadership role;
                 27. Strongly condemns all violations and abuses committed against children in
           armed conflict in Somalia, calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia to
           implement fully the Convention of the Rights of the Child 1989, and the Action Plans
           signed in 2012, the recently adopted Somali National Army Command Order on the
           Protection of Children’s Rights before, during and after operations and the Standard
           Operation Procedures on the handover of children, and underscores the need to
           strengthen the legal and operational framework for the protection of children,
           including by ratification of or accession to its Optional Protocols to the Convention
           on the Rights of the Child 1989;
                28. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council regularly
           informed on the implementation of this resolution, identify and report on progress
           towards achieving key political benchmarks, including through oral updates and no
           fewer than three written reports, with the first written report by 1 May 2018 and every
           120 days thereafter;
                29.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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