The African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia will be allowed to continue until the end of the year, according to a unanimous resolution by the U.N. Security Council on Thursday.
The council also called for the creation of preparations for a successor mission, which is a crucial step toward the nation taking control of its own security.
The decision, which is sponsored by the British, gives the AU permission to keep up to 12,626 uniformed soldiers—including 1,040 police officers—deployed for the ATMIS transitional peacekeeping mission through December 31. It asks that the African peacekeepers’ logistical support be continued by the U.N. political mission in Somalia.
Following the decision, James Kariuki, the deputy British ambassador, informed the council that “the resolution comes at a critical moment in Somalia’s security transition.” According to him, ATMIS will disband by the end of the year and the establishment of a replacement mission has the approval of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
The AU council’s proposal to replace ATMIS with an AU-led peace assistance operation was received favorably by the Security Council in a communique dated August 1.
According to the resolution, by November 15th, the Security Council will receive a report from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the AU Commission, who will have consulted with Somalia and other important international parties.
One of the main concerns with the new mission is financing, and the resolution asks for an update by October 11 on the expected costs and resources required. In order for Somalia to “ultimately assume full responsibility for, and ownership of, its security,” the resolution urges the nation to continue creating and carrying out its Security Sector Development Plan.Following the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 by rival clan-based warlords, Somalia descended into civil war.
In the face of increasing piracy and extremist attacks, the nation in the Horn of Africa elected a transitional administration in 2012 and has been attempting to restore stability.
