S/PV.9232 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2022/983, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2670 (2022). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

I would like to thank Council members for their constructive engagement on this text and for their support today. As Somalia steps-up the fight against Al-Shabaab, the support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) remains vital. Yet, at the same time, the successful transition of responsibility from ATMIS to Somalia is an essential component of achieving long- term peace and security across Somalia. The United Kingdom is proud to continue to provide financial support to the African Union and Somalia in that endeavour. In 2022, the United Kingdom will have provided over $55 million for ATMIS, and over $8 million to the Somalia Trust Fund. The extension to ATMIS phase 1, authorized in this resolution (resolution 2670 (2022)), gives more time for the African Union and Somalia to work together and advance the strategic, gradual and sector-by-sector transition of security responsibility from ATMIS to Somali security and police forces. The United Kingdom encourages the African Union and Somalia to seize this opportunity, and we look forward to hearing about the progress made in March next year.

The United States is pleased to vote in favour of extending the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). We appreciate the constructive efforts of our United Kingdom colleagues to lead the Security Council in agreeing to a six-month delay of the planned drawdown of ATMIS phase l, of 2,000 ATMIS troops. Through today’s adoption of resolution 2670 (2022), ATMIS is mandated, inter alia, to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and to support the development of an integrated Somali security force capable of assuming progressively greater security responsibility. We recognize and honour the sacrifices by ATMIS and Somali security forces and the sacrifices of personnel serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia between 2007 and 2022. We applaud the increased operations against Al-Shabaab led by the Somali people, the Somali federal member states and the Somali Federal Government under the Administration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Those operations show progress towards a Somalia-led security sector as it relates to the transition from ATMIS. We accept the necessity of delaying the first ATMIS troop reduction from 31 December 2022 to 30 June 2023, but we are concerned that slow progress in meeting mandate objectives over the past year will hamper completing the transition by the end of 2024. It is vital to seize the opportunity presented by ongoing Somalia-led operations to ensure that liberated areas are stabilized and that coordination between the Federal Government of Somalia and ATMIS is strong. ATMIS forces must also reconfigure and increasingly focus on enabling Somali-led operations, and ATMIS troop reductions in June 2023 must be based on operational necessity and strategic planning by the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union. The transition plan must take into account recent and future security gains. We emphasize the need for reporting and dialogue, as requested in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the mandate. We urge the international community to continue to work with Somalia to support the development of a truly integrated Somali security sector, the key element of a sustainable transition of security responsibilities endorsed through today’s updated resolution.

France voted in favour of resolution 2670 (2022) in response to the request by Somalia and the African Union for an additional six months, on an exceptional basis, to implement the withdrawal of 2,000 soldiers from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). We count on Somalia, the African Union and ATMIS to complete the withdrawal by 30 June 2023, with the support of the international community. We must now work to achieve the other objectives set by resolution 2628 (2022). The Mission must begin its restructuring to strengthen its operational support for the Somali forces and their increase in strength. We must show that transition is possible in Somalia so as to maintain the trust and support of the international community. The quartet  — the United Nations, the African Union, Somalia and the European Union — adopted objectives to that end last September. The Security Council meeting in March 2023 will be an opportunity to take stock of the ATMIS withdrawal trajectory and the achievement of those objectives. The European Union has shown that it is a reliable partner of Somalia and the African Union, by providing nearly €3 billion to the African Union Mission in Somalia, and then to ATMIS, over the past 15 years. We call on other partners to also contribute, in particular to finance the postponement of phase 1 of the withdrawal of troops. European Union support is primarily aimed at building the capacity of Somali forces, and thereby support the objectives of Somalia’s transition plan. We recall that the quartet’s framework for dialogue remains essential for strategic decision-making on ATMIS and its follow-up.

Norway is pleased to support this decision. We particularly welcome that the Security Council was able to respond in a swift and effective manner to the reasonable call by the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Peace and Security Council to extend phase 1 of the drawdown of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. We also welcome the leadership demonstrated by the current Somali Government in all areas of reform, including in the security sector and in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Adding to an already very difficult security situation, Somalia is facing serious challenges due to an unprecedented drought, exacerbated by climate change. In addressing those challenges, Somalia deserves the Council’s strong and united support. And based on their own priorities, we are hopeful that Somalia will continue to make progress on security, inclusive dialogue and local reconciliation, as well as on the expansion of governance and service delivery in all parts of Somalia in 2023. Finally, let me thank the United Kingdom as penholder for its excellent leadership on this file and for conducting the negotiations in a transparent and inclusive manner.

Ireland voted in favour of resolution 2670 (2022) to respond to the request of Somalia and the African Union for an additional six months to implement the withdrawal of 2,000 troops of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). I again want to thank the United Kingdom for its work on this file. Ireland would like to commend and fully support the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia and ATMIS to counter the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. ATMIS and Somali security forces play a crucial role in combating those extremists, and we commend their bravery and sacrifices. Ireland urges the Government of Somalia to now intensify its multifaceted approach to addressing the threat of Al-Shabaab, which must include good governance, justice, human rights and economic development. We encourage renewed efforts to reach agreement on the national security architecture, which will facility the security sector reform, which is critical for a successful transition. However, it is now vital to maintain momentum towards fully implementing the Somali transition plan and towards the handover of responsibility for security to the Somali authorities. In that regard, Somalia and ATMIS should ensure that phase 1 of the reconfiguration is completed without delay in order for the overall transition to remain on track. Ireland welcomes the decision to hold a Security Council meeting in March 2023. That will provide an opportunity to assess the progress of the ATMIS drawdown. Coordination meetings of the quartet — which includes the European Union (EU) — are also vital for progress. The European Union is a steadfast partner of Somalia and of the African Union. We have provided more than €2.2 billion to the African Union Mission in Somalia, and then to ATMIS, over the past 15 years. We call on others to match the EU’s support for Somalia. Furthermore, as we leave the Security Council, we again underline Ireland’s support for the efforts of the people of Somalia as they face the challenge of building a peaceful, inclusive and stable country and take full ownership of their national security.

Since its deployment, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has actively performed its duties and responsibilities and made important contributions to the maintenance of security and stability in Somalia. China commends that. At present, the security situation in Somalia remains dire, with frequent terrorist attacks and a worsening humanitarian situation. The African Union Peace and Security Council made a timely decision in calling for an adjustment of the ATMIS drawdown and postponing by six months the downsizing of 2,000 personnel. That is conducive to consolidating the counter-terrorism achievements and maintaining peace and stability in Somalia and its region. China fully supports the decision of the Peace and Security Council and voted in favour of resolution 2670 (2022), extending the ATMIS mandate. At the same time, I would like to point out that it is the Government of Somalia that shoulders the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security in the country. We hope that the Somali Government will increase its control over arms and ammunition, combat illegal arms trafficking and strictly prevent the proliferation of weapons. At the same time, the Somali Government should effectively improve its governance capacity, advance reforms, improve people’s livelihoods, fight corruption and reduce administrative restrictions on humanitarian work. We also hope the Somali Government will actively cooperate with ATMIS in its downsizing, follow the established transition plan and build up a professional, strong and responsible security force as soon as possible, so as to provide strong backing for ensuring the safety of the Somali people.