Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in Somalia, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2221 (2015)
The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for just over 10 weeks, until 7 August, pending consideration of a review of regional and international efforts in the country.
Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2221 (2015), the Council stated that the short extension of the mandate, set to expire on 28 May, would allow stakeholders to consider fully the recommendations of the joint African Union-United Nations review of the temporary surge in deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), including recommendations connected to the mandate of UNSOM.
The review, the surge in AMISON deployment and the activities of UNSOM were the subject of an open briefing to the Council on 19 May (see Press Release SC/11899) by Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNSOM and Maman Sidikou, Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson for Somalia and Head of AMISOM.
Today’s meeting began at 12:24 p.m. and adjourned at 12:27 p.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 2221 (2015) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Recalling all its previous resolutions and statements of its President on the situation in Somalia,
“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Somalia,
“Recalling the ongoing joint United Nations and African Union review, requested in resolution 2182 (2014), into the temporary surge for AMISOM authorized in resolution 2124 (2013), and further recalling its request for the United Nations and African Union to set out recommendations for the next steps in the military campaign in Somalia, taking into due consideration the political situation,
“1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), as set out in Paragraph 1 of resolution 2158 (2014), until 7 August 2015, in order to consider fully the recommendations of the joint United Nations and African Union review of the temporary surge for AMISOM, including any relevant recommendations connected to UNSOM’s mandate;
“2. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”