NY (SD) – The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to 31 May 2022, “as the security situation allows”.

The statement from the UN Security Council also called on UNSOM to continue coordinating UN efforts, by expanding joint mechanisms and programs, in collaboration with the Federal Government and member states.

“Unanimously adopting resolution 2592 (2021), the Council further decided that UNSOM should continue to coordinate United Nations efforts, maximizing joint approaches and programming, in full cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states, focused in particular on supporting acceleration of Government-led inclusive politics.”

The Security Council called on the Federal Government and its member states to hold free, fair and credible elections, in accordance with the agreements of 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 without further delay.

“Against that backdrop, it called on the Federal Government and federal member states to organize free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, in line with the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 agreements without further delay and finalize preparations to this end. It similarly called on them to enhance — “as a matter of urgency” – broad-based consultations and consensus building on national priorities through consultative mechanisms at all levels, and with the two Houses of Parliament.” Said the council statement.

The Security Council also urged the Federal Government and Member States to create a political and security environment conducive to inclusive elections throughout Somalia.

“In particular, the Council urged the Federal Government and federal member states to create a conducive political and security climate for inclusive elections across Somalia, fostering political pluralism, ensuring political space for the rights of legally constituted political parties and upholding the rights to free expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement.” Said the council statement.

On security, the Council strongly condemned the ongoing attacks by Al-Shabaab and urged the Somali authorities, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the United Nations to work closely to strengthen security at United Nations and African Union facilities and staff.

Prior to the adoption of the extension vote, the Representatives of Russia, China, the United Kingdom and the United States exchanged opposing views on the UN’s role in Somalia.