Security Council resolution 2232 (2015) [on deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 30 May 2016 and extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until 30 Mar. 2016]
Symbol: S/RES/2232 (2015)
Date: 2015-07-28
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/70 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
Subjects: African Union Mission in Somalia|African Union|UN. Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia|UN Assistance Mission in Somalia|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHAD
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JORDAN
vote: yes
country: LITHUANIA
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                  S/RES/2232 (2015)
               Security Council                                              Distr.: General
                                                                             28 July 2015




               Resolution 2232 (2015)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7491st meeting, on
               28 July 2015

                    The Security Council,
                     Recalling all its previous resolutions and statements of its President on the
               situation in Somalia,
                    Underlining its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
               independence, and unity of Somalia,
                    Condemning recent Al Shabaab attacks in Somalia and beyond, expressing
               serious concern at the ongoing threat posed by Al Shabaab, and underlining its
               concern that Al Shabaab continues to hold territory in Somalia,
                     Expressing outrage at the loss of civilian life, in Al Shabaab attacks, and
               paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union Mission in
               Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) personnel in the fight
               against Al Shabaab, as well as to United Nations (UN) staff killed in the Garowe
               attack,
                     Reiterating its determination to support efforts to reduce the threat posed by
               Al Shabaab in Somalia, and underlining its commitment to support a Somali-led
               political peace and reconciliation process,

               AMISOM
                    Welcoming the Report of the Joint African Union – United Nations Mission on
               the Benchmarks for a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Somalia and
               recommendations on the next steps in the military campaign (‘The Joint UN -AU
               Review’) requested in resolution 2182 (2014), and taking note of the review’s
               recommendations,
                    Welcoming the constructive manner in which the UN and African Union (AU)
               conducted the review,
                    Welcoming the progress of AMISOM and the SNA in the fight against
               Al Shabaab, in particular through Operations ‘Indian Ocean’ and ‘Eagle’, and
               underlining the importance of continuing offensive operations against Al Shabaab,




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                    Taking note of the African Union Peace and Security Council’s (AUPSC)
               30th June 2015 communiqué, which endorsed the recommendations of Joint UN -AU
               Review, and underlining its call for full adherence to the AMISOM command and
               control architecture, which can help to ensure that the recommendations of the joint
               review are properly implemented,
                     Welcoming the support of the international community to peace and stability in
               Somalia, in particular the European Union for its substantial contribution in
               supporting AMISOM, as well as support from other key bilateral partners to both
               AMISOM and the SNA, and emphasizing the importance of new contributors, in
               particular the AU, sharing the financial burden of supporting AMISOM,
                     Welcoming the AU’s investigation of allegations of sexual violence allegedly
               perpetrated by some AMISOM troops, underlining the importance of the AU
               implementing the recommendations of the report, expressing its disappointment that
               the AU did not receive full cooperation from all AMISOM troop contributing
               countries in carrying out its investigation, and calling on the AU and troop
               contributing countries to ensure that allegations are properly investigated and
               appropriate follow-up action is taken, including full investigation of those cases of
               abuse evidenced by the AU investigation team,

               UNSOM
                    Commending the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
               (UNSOM) in supporting peace and reconciliation and the promotion and protection
               of human rights in Somalia,
                    Underlining the importance of UNSOM consolidating its presence across
               Somalia in order to help facilitate political dialogue between the centre and the
               regions and to support local peace and reconciliation processes,
                     Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to
               international peace and security,
                    Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

               AMISOM
                    1.    Agrees with the Secretary-General that conditions in Somalia are not
               appropriate for the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission until the
               end of 2016 at the earliest;
                     2.    Welcomes the revised benchmarks as set out in the Secretary-General’s
               letter to the President of the Security Council of 2 July 2015, agrees with his
               conclusion that the achievement of the benchmarks could pave the way for the
               deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation which could help
               consolidate the peace process in Somalia and the development of Somali security
               sector institutions, and requests the Secretary-General to keep these benchmarks
               under continuous review, in consultation with the AU;
                     3.  Decides to authorize the Member States of the AU to maintain the
               deployment of AMISOM, as set out in paragraph 1 of resolution 2093 (2013) until
               30 May 2016, in line with the Security Council’s request to the AU for a maximum
               level of 22,126 uniformed personnel, and as part of an overall exit strategy for
               AMISOM, after which a decrease in AMISOM’s force strength will be considered,


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           and further decides that AMISOM shall be authorized to take all necessary
           measures, in full compliance with its Member States’ obligations under international
           humanitarian law and human rights law, and in full respect of the sovereignty,
           territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia, to carry out its
           mandate;
                 4.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide a logistical
           support package for AMISOM, referred to in paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of resolution
           2010 (2011), paragraphs 4 and 6 of resolution 2036 (2012), paragraph 2 of
           resolution 2073 (2012), paragraph 4 of resolution 2093 (2013), and paragraph 26 of
           resolution 2182 (2014), ensuring the accountability and transparency o f expenditure
           of UN funds as set out in paragraph 4 of resolution 1910 (2010), and consistent with
           the requirements of the Secretary-General’s Human Rights Due Diligence Policy;
                5.     Underlines that the security strategy for the next 18 months should aim
           to create and preserve an enabling environment for the political, and peace and
           reconciliation processes to unfold in Somalia, agrees with the Secretary-General’s
           assessment that the security strategy in Somalia should be guided by three
           objectives:
                i)    Continuing offensive operations against Al Shabaab strongholds;
                ii) Enabling the political process at all levels, including through securing
                critical political processes throughout Somalia;
                iii) Enabling stabilisation efforts through supporting the delivery of security
                for the Somali people to facilitate the wider process of peacebuilding and
                reconciliation, including through the gradual handing over of security
                responsibilities from AMISOM to the SNA and subsequently to the Somali
                police force;
                 6.   Requests that, in line with the recommendations of the Joint AU -UN
           Review, the AU undertakes a structured and targeted reconfiguration of AMISOM to
           enable a surge in its efficiency, in particular by strengthening command and control
           structures, enhancing cross-sector operations, examining sector boundaries,
           generating a dedicated special forces’ capability under the authority of the Force
           Commander, which should operate alongside existing Somali special forces,
           generating all the requisite specialized units recommended by the Secretary-General’s letter of 14 October 2013 and authorized in paragraph 3 of resolution
           2124 (2013), ensuring that all force enablers and multipliers operate under the
           authority of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commis sion
           and Force Commander, and taking into account progress achieved in offensive
           operations against Al Shabaab and other terrorist organisations, by gradually, and in
           a limited manner, and where appropriate, reconfiguring AMISOM uniformed
           personnel in favour of police personnel within the authorized AMISOM personnel
           ceiling, welcomes in this regard the intention of the AU to develop a new Concept of
           Operations for AMISOM, and requests the AU to develop this concept in close
           collaboration with the UN by 30 October 2015;
                7.   Welcomes the Secretary-General’s commitment to work with the AU
           Chairperson, troop contributing countries, and Federal Government of Somalia
           (FGS) to help ensure that this surge in efficiency materialises and is sustained over
           time, and requests the Secretary-General to monitor the implementation of this



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               surge, including through performance indicators, and in this regard to keep the
               Council updated in his regular reporting;
                    8.    Requests the Secretary-General to work closely with the AU in
               supporting the implementation of this resolution, paying particular attention to the
               provisions of paragraph 6 of this resolution, further requests the Secretary-General
               to continue to provide technical and expert advice to the AU on the planning,
               deployment and strategic management of AMISOM through the UN office to the
               AU, and reiterates its request to the Secretary-General, in view of the need to
               increase AMISOM’s efficiency, to enhance the provision of technical advice to the
               AU through existing UN mechanisms;
                     9.    Agrees with the Secretary-General that a joint AMISOM – UN – Somali
               planning mechanism should assess and facilitate the delivery of the strategy set out
               in paragraph 5 of this resolution, as well as in the implementation of stabilisation
               priorities and, ensuring in particular thorough coordination and consultation ahead
               of, during and after offensive operations;
                    10. Underlines that it is essential that military operations are followed
               immediately by national efforts to establish or improve governance structures in
               recovered areas and by the delivery of basic services, including security;
                     11. Underlines the imperative of securing key supply routes to areas
               recovered from Al Shabaab, requests AMISOM and the SNA to ensure they give the
               utmost priority to securing key supply routes essential to improve the humanitarian
               situation in the most affected areas, and as a critical condition for logistical support
               to AMISOM, and requests the Secretary-General to report, in consultation with the
               FGS and AMISOM, on progress in this regard in his written reports to the Security
               Council;
                     12. Agrees with the Secretary-General that there have been gaps in the
               integrated provision of logistical support to AMISOM and SNA troops, and
               underscores that the delivery of logistical remains a joint responsibility between the
               UN and AU, and underlines its determination to seek improvements to the support
               provided to AMISOM, and provided by UNSOA to the SNA, as funded through the
               UN trust fund;
                      13. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with all stakeholders, to
               carry out a strategic review of UNSOA, including a thorough review of support
               provided to AMISOM by all partners, and set out a wide range of options on how to
               improve overall support to AMISOM, in the context of the efficiency surge outlined
               in paragraph 6, including through making improvements to the performance,
               management, and structures of UNSOA, bearing in mind the imperative of
               responsible cost control and taking into account the availability of resources, and
               further requests the Secretary-General to present these options to the Council by no
               later than 30 September 2015;
                     14. Stresses the critical need to source contingent owned equipment
               including force enablers and multipliers as provided for in paragraph 6 of resolution
               2036 (2012) either from existing AMISOM Troop-Contributing Countries or other
               Member States, emphasizes in particular the need for an appropriate aviation
               component of up to twelve military helicopters, welcomes the progress made in the
               partial generation of this component, and encourages Member States to respond to
               AU efforts to mobilize such equipment urgently;


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                 15. Welcomes the commencement of activities establishing a Civilian
           Casualty Tracking Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC) as requested in
           resolutions 2093 (2013) and 2124 (2013), and underlines the importance of making
           the CCTARC operational and effective without further delay, in collaboration with
           humanitarian, human rights and protection actors, and ensuring information is
           shared with relevant actors including the UN;
                 16. Reiterates its call for new donors to support AMISOM through the
           provision of additional funding for troop stipends, equipment, technical assistance
           and uncaveated funding for AMISOM to the United Nations Trust Fund for
           AMISOM, calls upon the AU to consider how to provide sustainable funding for
           AMISOM, such as through its own assessed costs as it did for the African-led
           International Support Mission in Mali, and underlines the AU’s call for its Member
           States to provide financial support to AMISOM;

           Somali National Security Forces
                 17. Stresses the importance of accelerating the strengthening and improved
           coordination of the Somali security institutions and to initiate efforts to move
           towards the eventual handover of security responsibilities to the Somali security
           services, including through the establishment of a forum between the FG S, AU and
           UN to specifically plan for, and regularly monitor, the handover of security
           responsibilities, which is an essential part of AMISOM’s eventual exit strategy and
           further calls for the rapid completion of the Somali National Security Sector
           architecture, including a definition of the roles of relevant national security sector
           institutions as a way of improving coordination between the SNA and AMISOM;
                 18. Welcomes the adoption of the Guulwade (Victory) Plan as a critical step
           towards the development of the capacity of a more effective and sustainable Somali
           National Army, including the initial priority of supporting and developing the
           10,900 SNA troops, welcomes the efforts taken so far by the FGS in establishing an
           integrated army, and urges the FGS to complete this process across Somalia as soon
           as possible, notes the importance for implementing the Guulwade (Victory) Plan of
           AMISOM’s provision of training and mentoring to the SNA, and underscores the
           importance of bilateral partners delivering on any pledged support as well as
           supporting UNSOM in implementing its mandate to assist the FGS in coordinating
           international donor support on security sector assistance, and in this regard
           emphasizes the importance of UNSOM’s mandate to assist the FGS in coordinating
           international donor support on security sector assistance;
                 19. Welcomes efforts to develop a realistic police plan linked with medium -
           term rule of law programmes and in line with the federal v ision, taking into account
           existing plans for the development of the Somali National Police Force, and
           emphasizes the importance of substantially contributing to the development and
           sustenance of the regional police forces, while continuing police initiati ves in
           Mogadishu, welcomes the FGS’ initial draft ‘Heegan’ plan for the police and looks
           forward to its finalisation by the end of October 2015, and in this regard takes note
           of the recommendation of the Secretary-General to establish a non-lethal support
           package for the Somali police force, further stresses that an appropriate UN trust
           fund or voluntary funding arrangement should be used to fund such support if
           authorised by the Security Council, requests further details from the Secretary-General for implementation and delivery of such support by 30 September 2015,



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               and underlines that such support should be provided in accordance with the human
               rights due diligence policy on UN support to non-United Nations forces (HRDDP);
                     20. Expresses concern over the increasing activities of Al Shabaab in
               Puntland and the security implications of the situation in Yemen for Somalia, takes
               note of the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the SNA non-lethal
               support package authorized in paragraph 14 of resolution 2124 (2013) to 3,000
               Puntland forces on an exceptional basis upon completion of their integration process
               and inclusion into the Guulwade (Victory) Plan, recalls the criteria established in
               paragraph 14 of resolution 2124 (2014) with respect to the pro vision of non-lethal
               logistical support to the SNA, recalls UNSOA’s mandate, and underlines its current
               areas of operations and limitations to its capacity, requests the Secretary-General to
               explore the feasibility of implementing this recommendation, and to report to the
               Council by no later than 30 September 2015;

               UNSOM
                     21. Decides to extend UNSOM’s mandate, as set out in paragraph 1 of
               resolution 2158 (2014) until 30 March 2016;
                     22. Underscores the importance of UNSOM’s support to the political
               process, in particular supporting the preparation of an inclusive, realistic and
               legitimate electoral process in 2016;
                     23. Welcomes the strong relationship between UNSOM and AMISOM,
               welcomes in particular the key role played by the UN Special Representative a nd the
               Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission in ensuring the
               organisations work closely together, and underlines the importance of both entities
               strengthening further that relationship to ensure that the activities of both entities
               support the political process;
                     24. Requests UNSOM, subject to strict adherence to UN security
               requirements and in the context of the evolving security situation, to strengthen its
               presence in all capitals of Interim Regional Administrations to support st rategically
               the political and peace and reconciliation process, including by engaging with the
               Interim Regional Administrations in support of a federal structure, taking into
               account operational and security constraints, and in this context takes note of the
               importance of keeping security arrangements under constant review, encourages
               regional engagement to be carried out jointly by AMISOM -UNSOM teams, agrees
               with the conclusion of the Secretary-General that deployment of civilian planning
               capacity in regional capitals should be a priority in order to improve joint planning
               between military and civilian components, and requests AMISOM, in accordance
               with its existing mandate, and Somali National Security Forces to take appropriate
               measures to protect UNSOM personnel, facilities, installations, equipment and
               mission and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel;

               Somalia
                     25. Welcomes President Hassan Sheikh’s and the FGS’s commitment to an
               inclusive and credible electoral process in 2016, underlines the Council’s
               expectation that there should not be an extension of electoral process timelines for
               either the executive or legislative branches, and underlines the importance of
               implementing this commitment including through an inclusive process to agree on



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           the model for the electoral process and ensuring that the National Independent
           Electoral Commission and Boundaries and Federation Committee are operational
           without further delay, and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation across the
           country as the basis of any long term approach to stability;
                 26. Underlines the need to ensure progress in the constitutional review
           process without further delay in order to establish an effective federal political
           system and a comprehensive reconciliation process that brings about national
           cohesion and integration, and underlines in this regard the importance of supporting
           the peaceful and inclusive completion of the state formation process and providing
           effective mediation when necessary and encourages close dialogue between the
           Federal Government of Somalia, regional administrations, civil society and the
           Somali public in this regard;
                27. 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;
                 28. 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;
                 29. Expresses concern at continued violations and abuses of human rights
           and violations of international humanitarian law in Somalia and underscores the
           need to end impunity, uphold human rights and to hold accountable those
           responsible for such crimes, encourages the FGS to finalise its Human Rights
           Roadmap and establish its National Human Rights Commission and to pass
           legislation including legislation aimed at protecting human rights and e nsuring
           investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of human rights violations;
                 30. Expresses concern at the increase in forced evictions of internally
           displaced persons from public and private infrastructure in major towns in Somalia,
           stresses that any eviction should be consistent with relevant national and
           international frameworks, and calls upon the FGS and all relevant actors to strive to
           provide concrete durable solutions for internal displacement;
                 31. 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, and 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; and 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;
                32. Underlines the importance of respect for international humanitarian law
           and the protection of civilians, especially women and children, by all armed groups
           in Somalia;
                 33. 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 the assemblies of the new



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               interim regional administrations, and urges the FGS and Interim Regional
               Administrations to continue to promote increased representation of women at all
               decision-making levels in Somali institutions, and encourages UNSOM to enhance
               its interaction across Somali civil society, including women, youth, and religious
               leaders in order to ensure that the views of civil society are incorporated in the
               various political processes;
                     34. Welcomes Somalia’s progress towards ratifying the Convention on the
               Rights of the Child (1989) and calls for increased implementation of the two Action
               Plans signed in 2012 and strengthening of the legal framework for the protection of
               children, especially in light of continued abductions and recruitment of children as
               detailed in the Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict of
               5 June 2015;
                    35. 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 September, and every 120 days thereafter;
                    36.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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