Security Council resolution 2705 (2023) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until 31 Oct. 2024]
Symbol: S/RES/2705 (2023)
Date: 2023-10-31
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/78 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Somalia.
Subjects: UN Assistance Mission in Somalia|SPECIAL MISSIONS|PEACEBUILDING|HUMAN RIGHTS|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION|RULE OF LAW|INTERNAL SECURITY|RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALBANIA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: ECUADOR
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GHANA
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALTA
vote: yes
country: MOZAMBIQUE
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWITZERLAND
vote: yes
country: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2705 (2023)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                31 October 2023




               Resolution 2705 (2023)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 9463rd meeting, on
               31 October 2023

                    The Security Council,
                     Recalling all 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,
                    Underlining the importance of consolidating the peace and security gains made
               in Somalia,
                    Commending the support provided by the African Union, the European Union
               and donors, through the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the
               United Nations, through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
               (UNSOM), the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and through its
               agencies, funds and programmes, by the Panel of Experts on Somalia both to Somalia
               and the 751 Committee and by Somalia’s bilateral partners,
                    Emphasising its fundamental objective is to maintain peace and stability in
               Somalia by supporting state-building and peace-building, and through the
               advancement of Somalia’s national priorities,
                    Emphasising the importance of effective and integrated support from the United
               Nations system and the international community for long-term peace, including
               through strengthening the capacity building of the Federal Government of Somalia
               (FGS), to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity, and support the achievement of the
               2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals,
               and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,
                     Reiterating the importance of inclusive dialogue and local reconciliation
               processes for stability in Somalia, and underscoring that the full, equal and
               meaningful participation of women will help to progress national priorities, and
               support reconciliation, security and transition from international security support, in
               line with the Somalia Transition Plan (STP) and National Security Architecture,
                    Encouraging resumption of dialogue between the FGS and “Somaliland” to
               build confidence, strengthen political coordination, and advance the state-building
               agenda,




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                    Expressing its concern about the situation in Laascaanood, situated in the Sool
               region of Northern Somalia, and surrounding areas, calling on all parties to continue
               to exercise restraint and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution, and recalling its
               Press Statement of 7 June 2023 welcoming the efforts and initiatives of the FGS,
               Ethiopia and clan elders,
                     Encouraging the FGS to continue engaging with the United Nations
               Peacebuilding Commission to enhance international support for Somalia’s peacebuilding objectives, noting the potential of international cooperation and support for
               peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction and development in Somalia, if
               provided in line with priorities defined by the FGS, and further noting in this regard
               the African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUPCRD) policy
               and the AUPCRD dedicated centre in Cairo,
                     Expressing grave concern that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to
               the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region, condemning in the
               strongest possible terms terrorist attacks in Somalia and neighbouring states,
               expressing deep concern about the loss of civilian life from these attacks, reiterating
               its determination to support comprehensive efforts to reduce the threat posed by
               Al-Shabaab, and further expressing concern about the continued presence in Somalia
               of affiliates linked to ISIL/Da’esh,
                     Underscoring the importance of a holistic, whole-of-government and whole-ofsociety approach, including the full participation of women, to counter terrorism and
               violent extremism conducive to terrorism, conducted in accordance with applicable
               international law, as well as efforts to address the governance, security, human rights,
               humanitarian, development and socioeconomic dimensions of the problem, including
               youth employment and the eradication of poverty, and emphasising the importance of
               regional and international cooperation to counter terrorism, disrupt terrorist finances
               and illicit financial flows and stop arms trafficking,
                     Expressing serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Somalia,
               encouraging States to scale-up their humanitarian support to Somalia, and calling for
               all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate, in accordance with relevant
               provisions of international law, including applicable international humanitarian law,
               and in a manner consistent with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian
               emergency assistance (United Nations General Assembly resolution 46/182),
               including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, the rapid and
               unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance necessary to support persons in need
               across Somalia,
                     Strongly condemning the targeting of civilians, including humanitarian
               personnel, and any unlawful attacks against civilian objects in situations of conflict,
               as well as the indiscriminate use of weapons, in particular in den sely populated areas,
               and their consequences for the civilian population, calling upon all parties to the
               conflict to refrain from such practices in accordance with their obligations under
               international law, including international humanitarian law,
                    Expressing deep concern at the serious threat posed by improvised explosive
               devices (IEDs), explosive remnants of war, and the proliferation of weapons and
               ammunition, to the civilian population of Somalia, United Nations personnel, African
               Union troops, and national security forces, which have serious and lasting social and
               economic consequences, impede sustainable development and inhibit state -building
               and stabilisation efforts,
                    Encouraging coordination between the FGS, Somalia’s Federal Member States
               (FMS), donors and OCHA, as appropriate, to ensure distribution of humanitarian aid,
               including in-kind aid, is gender- and age-sensitive and responsive to the different


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           needs of the population, and targets appropriately those in vulnerable situations,
           which may face specific barriers in accessing assistance and protection,
                 Commending the FGS’ development of its National Adaption Plan Framework,
           recognising the adverse effects of climate change, environmental degradation, other
           ecological changes, and natural disasters, among other factors on the humanitarian
           situation and stability of Somalia, including through floods, drought, desertification,
           food insecurity, and land degradation, and recalling its Presidential Statement
           S/PRST/2011/15,
                 Recalling resolution 2417 (2018) and Presidential Statement S/PRST/2023/4,
           and the link between armed conflict and conflict-induced food insecurity and the
           threat of famine,
                 Noting the importance of effective, strategic communications to the
           implementation of the UNSOM mandate, and emphasising the need to continue to
           enhance UNSOM’s capability in this regard, particularly concerning peace -building,
           state-building, reconciliation, conflict prevention, countering violent extremism
           conducive to terrorism, civic education, women’s inclusion in political processes,
           human rights protection, and the youth, peace and security agenda,
                 Welcoming the cooperation between UNSOM, UNSOS, the United Nations
           Country Team and ATMIS, underlining the importance of collaborative working
           between the United Nations, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on
           Development, other multilateral and bilateral partners and Somalia and encouraging
           all entities to continue to strengthen the relationship further at all levels, including
           through the Senior Leadership Coordination Forum,
                                                      *
               1.    Decides to extend, until 31 October 2024, UNSOM’s mandate and tasks in
           Somalia as set out in resolution 2158 (2014) and resolution 2592 (2021);
                2.    Requests UNSOM to continue to maintain and strengthen its presence
           across Somalia, in consultation with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and
           Somalia’s Federal Member States (FMS), and to continue to strengthen its
           cooperation with Somalia and the African Union, subject to United Nations se curity
           measures, and as the security situation allows, and recognises that the political and
           security context in Somalia will affect UNSOM’s ability to fulfil its mandate;
                3.   Encourages UNSOM to continue to coordinate United Nations efforts,
           maximise joint approaches and joint programming in relevant areas, in full
           cooperation with the FGS and FMS, to support the FGS and FMS in their efforts to:
                a.     take a realistic, incremental approach to advance state-building, including
           the development of its federal system and the constitutional review process, and
           ensuring the participation and inclusion of all stakeholders, including women, youth
           and civil society;
                 b.    conduct of free and fair elections, through inclusive, transparent processes
           at the national and local level on agreed timelines;
                 c.   advance the 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 and the United
           Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, 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



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               partners, with a view to making maximum use of development financing in Somalia,
               including in response to climate change, flooding, drought, and locusts;
               and, in the context of ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab, to support the
               FGS and FMS by:
                     d.    supporting extension of government authority and expanding its
               coordination role on stabilisation, bringing together donor support to assist authorities
               to deliver basic services and community reconciliation, including in areas newly, or
               recently recovered from Al-Shabaab and fragile areas, taking into account the specific
               needs of vulnerable persons, and local social dynamics;
                     e.    accelerating implementation of the National Stabilisation Strategy and
               State-level Stabilisation Plans;
                    f.     supporting peacebuilding, including:
                    i.   the establishment of local governance, service delivery, and democratic
                    processes, including District Council formation;
                    ii.  the establishment of security arrangements in line with the National
                    Security Architecture and the rule of law; and
                    iii.   supporting Somalia to ensure that plans are in place and implemen ted to:
                          1.   protect civilians and communities in areas which are the focus of
                    military operations, prior to, during and after military engagements;
                         2.     ensure timely, balanced support to all areas, including newly, or
                    recently, recovered from Al-Shabaab and fragile areas;
                     4.   Recalls its Press Statement of 7 June 2023 and paragraph 6 (b) of
               resolution 2592 (2021) and requests UNSOM to continue to provide support to efforts
               undertaken by the FGS to pursue inter- and intra-clan reconciliation at the local,
               regional and national level towards the peaceful resolution of the dispute in
               Laascaanood and the surrounding areas, including through engaging with all parties
               where necessary;
                    5.    Notes the United Nations Department of Operational Support’s
               Environment Strategy (Phase II), which emphasises good stewardship of resources
               and a positive legacy of the mission, and identifies the goal of expanded renewable
               energy use in missions to enhance safety and security, save costs, offer efficiencies
               and benefit the mission;
                     6.     Encourages the FGS and FMS to deepen cooperation and collaboration at
               all levels, to:
                     a.   make progress towards finalising the constitution, including finali sing
               necessary legislation, in a manner consistent with Somalia’s obligations under
               international law;
                    b.     prepare for national and local elections;
                    c.     implement the National Security Architecture and Justice Model, at
               federal, state and local levels, deliver the Somalia Transition Plan;
                    d.     advance political, national and local reconciliation;
                    e.    create a conducive political and security environment for more inclusive
               democratic processes across Somalia to foster political pluralism and include legally
               constituted political parties, including opposition parties;
                    f.    recalling resolution 1325 (2000) and all subsequent resolutions on women,
               peace and security:

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                i.    advance women’s political, social and economic empowerment;
                ii.   ensure the full equal and meaningful participation of women, as well as
                their involvement and representation at all levels of decision making, including
                in the context of peacebuilding, reconciliation and security sector reform;
                iii. in the context of elections, and as envisaged in the Somali Women’s
                Charter, meet its commitments to ensure that women fill at least 30% of the
                seats in both Houses of Parliament; and
                iv. support women’s rights, including their social, cultural and economic
                rights through the elimination of poverty, and provision of education,
                employment and development opportunities;
                 g.   promote the participation and inclusion of persons belonging to minority
           clans, youth and persons with disabilities;
                h.   uphold the rights of freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly
           and movement, including the ability of journalists to operate freely, and condemn hate
           speech and incitement to violence; and,
                i.    enhance civilian oversight of their security apparatus, to:
                      i.    continue to adopt and implement appropriate vetting procedures of
                      all defence and security personnel, including human rights vetting; and
                      ii.   investigate and, as appropriate, prosecute individuals responsible for
                      violations of international law, including international humanitarian law
                      and human rights law, and sexual and gender-based violence in conflict
                      and post-conflict situations, and, in this context, recalls the importance of
                      the Secretary-General’s Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy and its
                      application in relation to the support provided by the United Nations to
                      Somali security institutions and forces and to ATMIS;
                7.   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, and:
                 a.    calls upon all parties to comply with their obligations under applicable
           international law, including international humanitarian law, including in relation to
           the protection of the civilian population and civilian objects;
                b.    reiterates the urgent and imperative need to hold accountabl e all those
           responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses
           of human rights; and
                c.    emphasises the importance of protecting and promoting the right to
           freedom of expression and protecting journalists and other media professionals and
           associated personnel;
                 8.    Commends recent progress on domestic legislation in Somalia regarding
           juvenile justice and children’s rights, expresses deep concern about the high number
           of verified instances of the “six grave violations” again st children documented in the
           Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict ( S/2023/363),
           including the high number of grave violations attributed to Al-Shabaab; and,
                a.    demands that all parties to the conflict take appropriate measures to:
                i.   end and prevent violations and abuses against children, including the “six
                grave violations” in accordance with applicable obligations under inter national
                law;



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                    ii.  identify those responsible for such violations and abuses and hold
                    perpetrators accountable;
                    iii. consider primarily as victims those children who are associated with or
                    have been released or otherwise separated from armed forces and armed groups,
                    consistent with the Paris Principles endorsed by the Federal Government of
                    Somalia and ensure their handover to civilian child protection actors; and
                    iv. cease detention of all children on national security charges where it is in
                    violation of applicable international law;
                    b.    calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to implement fully:
                    i.    the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (UNCRC);
                    ii.  the two Action Plans on ending and preventing the recruitment and use and
                    the killing and maiming of children, signed by the Federal Government of
                    Somalia in 2012;
                    iii. the 2019 road map signed by the Federal Government of Somalia to
                    expedite the implementation of the 2012 action plans, including at the local
                    level;
                    iv. the 2014 Standard Operating Procedures for the handover of children
                    allegedly associated with armed groups; and
                    v.   the age assessment guidelines and standardised checklist endorsed by the
                    Federal Government of Somalia in July 2023;
                    9.    Strongly condemns any misuse or obstruction of humanitarian assistance,
               including violence, attacks and threats against humanitarian and medical personnel,
               and against their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other
               medical facilities in violation of international law; and:
                     a.   demands that all parties allow and facilitate, in accordance with relevant
               provisions of international law, full, safe, rapid and unhindered access for the timely
               delivery of aid to persons in need across Somalia in line with the humanitarian
               principles by:
                    i.    dismantling illegal checkpoints;
                    ii.   removing administrative and bureaucratic restrictions; and,
                    iii. protecting humanitarian actors and communities from any retribution or
                    punitive measures for seeking to negotiate access with parties to the conflict or
                    providing humanitarian or medical assistance consistent with international
                    humanitarian law;
                    b.    underlines the importance of transparency and accountability in the
               provision of humanitarian support; and,
                     c.   recognises the role local, clan and religious leaders can play in enabling
               and negotiating humanitarian access across Somalia, encourages continued support
               for international and national humanitarian personnel and local leaders, as well as
               protection from any form of retribution for seeking access to areas outside of
               government control for humanitarian purposes;
                     10. Calls upon the FGS, FMS and all relevant actors to facilitate, support and,
               where appropriate, implement durable solutions for internal displacement , including
               local integration or resettlement, and to create the conditions conducive to the
               voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and IDPs, in consultation
               with them and in line with applicable national frameworks and international
               obligations, with the support of the international community;

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                11. Recalls the need for the FGS to continue to establish and operationalise
           the National Human Rights Commission, the Constitutional Court and the Judicial
           Service Commission in line with the Provisional Constitution, Somalia’s obligations
           under international law, and the relevant legislation, and calls on the Federal
           Government of Somalia to:
                a.    promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities and persons
           belonging to minority groups;
                b.    implement legislation aimed at protecting human rights and investigating
           and prosecuting perpetrators of crimes involving violations or abuses of human rights
           and violations of international humanitarian law, and sexual and gender-based
           violence in conflict and post-conflict situations;
                c.   ensure legislation is compatible with its obligations under international
           law and commitments on the protection of children and women; and,
                 d.   with the support of the United Nations, accelerate the implementation of
           the Joint Communiqué and the adoption and implementation of the National Action
           Plan on Women, Peace and Security;
                e.   through the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, to
           promote and protect human rights in Somalia, including p rotection from sexual and
           gender-based violence;
                12. Highlights the importance of the United Nations, and the FGS and FMS
           considering the adverse implications of climate change, environmental degradation,
           other ecological changes and natural disasters, among other factors, in their
           programmes in Somalia, including by undertaking comprehensive, gender-sensitive
           risk assessments and risk management strategies relating to these factors,
           acknowledging the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and
           the Paris Agreement;
                 13. Recalls the recommendations of the strategic review of UNSOM
           (S/2022/716), which were endorsed subsequently by the Security Council, and calls
           for the timely implementation of the recommendations, including planning to develop
           a road map for the eventual transition from UNSOM to the United Nations Country
           Team, finalising the UNSOM staffing and configuration review, and towards a
           common understanding of an end state;
                14.   Requests the following reports from the Secretary-General:
                 a.    regular updates on the situation in Somalia and implementation of
           UNSOM’s mandate, to include updates against the benchmarks outlined in the
           strategic review, including through briefings to the Security Council and no fewer
           than three written reports, with the first report due by 1 February 2024, and every 120
           days thereafter; and,
                 b.    an update on progress made in implementing the recommendations set out
           in the strategic review (S/2022/716) by 1 September 2024;
                15. Affirms that it shall keep the situation in Somalia under review and be
           prepared to review the provisions contained in this resolution, at any time as may be
           necessary, in light of the evolution of political developments and the situation in the
           country;
                16.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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