UN Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

On 24 January, the members of the Security Council were briefed by the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr.
Michael Keating and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of
the African Union Commission, Ambassador Madeira on the situation in
Somalia.
The members of the Security Council welcomed Somalia’s political
commitment to security sector, economic and political reforms and the
progress made to date. The members of the Security Council agreed that
all parties should make 2018 a year of implementation. They discussed
the importance of making progress on the political settlement in
preparation for elections in 2020/2021. They welcomed the 5 November
agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal
Member States on taking forward security and federalism, and urged the
Federal Government of Somalia to ensure high-level dialogue with
Federal Member States to make progress on key issues including the
constitutional review, elections, fiscal federalism, and power and
resource sharing.
The members of the Security Council raised concern about ongoing
instability in Somalia and urged all parties to resolve political
differences through peaceful dialogue. They welcomed Somalia’s
commitment, reaffirmed at the December 2017 security conference, to
work with partners to develop a conditions-based transition plan with
clear target dates. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the
importance of accelerating implementation of the national security
architecture and focusing on a gradual transfer of lead security
responsibility from AMISOM to the Somali Government.
The members of the Security Council noted the importance of UN/African
Union efforts to explore options available in order to establish
future funding arrangements for AMISOM. They reiterated the importance
of close consultation among the Federal Government of Somalia, the
Federal Member States, the AU and troop contributing countries, the UN
and international partners to ensure coordinated approaches to
implementing conditions-based planning and financing. The members of
the Security Council reiterated the urgency of this undertaking and
the importance of a credible plan.
The members of the Council reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive
approach to security in compliance with international humanitarian law
and international human rights law and better coordination between
international partners. They stressed the importance of the meaningful
participation of women in all efforts towards the maintenance and
promotion of peace and security.
The members of the Security Council expressed concern about the
continued vulnerability of millions of people, notably children and
the internally displaced, to extreme weather events, the ongoing risk
of famine in Somalia and the need for generous support to the
Humanitarian Response Plan. They welcomed the Drought Impact Needs
Assessment and plans to invest in measures that will strengthen the
resilience of the population.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to
the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and
the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission. The members of the Security Council paid particular
tribute to the contribution of AMISOM. They also paid tribute to the
efforts and contribution of the Somali national security forces, and
the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
25 January 2018