On Monday (17 September) the Council is likely to adopt a resolution on Somalia. The resolution is intended to mark the end of the transition in the country and lay out the Council’s expectations for the next phase with regard to the responsibilities of the new government as well as the role of the UN, the international community and the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). It asks the Secretary-General to present options and recommendations to the Council by 31 December on the future UN presence based on the inter-agency review over the next few months led by the Department of Political Affairs, as announced in his latest report on Somalia (S/2012/643 of 23 August). The draft was expected to be put into blue later this afternoon. It seems negotiations went smoothly with no major differences among Council members.

While the Council’s response to political transitions is often a presidential statement, it seems that the UK (the lead country in the Council on Somalia) was keen in this case to have a resolution. The election by the Somali parliament on 10 September of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s new president marks the end of an eight-year transition process involving significant setbacks and delays. The draft resolution notes that the election represents “the completion of the Transition in Somalia and an important milestone in Somalia’s path to more stable and accountable governance.”

In its operative paragraphs, the draft spells out a number of expectations directed at Somali authorities. It urges the swift appointment of a representative government, implementation of the postponed elements of the transition road map, development of a programme to define post-transition priorities, restructuring of Somali security forces and expansion of the rule of law and public services. It also emphasises the importance of reconciliation, transitional justice, transparency and accountability. It expresses concern in particular about reports of financial misappropriations and reiterates the Council’s request for the rapid establishment of a joint financial management board tasked with overseeing Somali public finances.

Read the complete story at what is in the blue

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