The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution authorizing its Assistance Mission in Somalia for another seven months.
According to the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2232 (2015), UNISOM mandate in Somalia is extended for another 7 months, until 30 March 2016.
Underscoring the importance of UNSOM’s support to the political process in Somalia, in particular the preparation of the electoral process in 2016, the Security Council requested from the Mission that it strengthens its presence in all capitals of Interim Regional Administrations.
UNSOM was established by the council in 2013 in order to help Somalia achieve peace and development.
The Council also authorized the Member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional 10 months, until 30 May 2016.
Authorizing the deployment of up to 22,126 uniformed personnel for AMISOM, the Council requested a “structured and targeted” reconfiguration of the Mission to enable a surge in its efficiency. And by 30 October 2015, the African Union should have developed, in close collaboration with the United Nations, a “new concept of operations” for the Mission, the Council requested.
It welcomed improvements in the country’s security situation, while stressing that challenges remain and that improvements need to be sustained through meaningful political dialogue and national unity.
African Union has over 20,000 troops in Somalia to help the weak government battle al-Shabab, contributed by Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Burundi and Kenya.
Somalia hasn’t had an effective central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, making it a haven for terrorists, pirates and illicit arms dealers.
Horseed Media
UN extends mandate of mission in Somalia, authorizes ongoing deployment of peacekeepers
Published: July 29, 2015
