United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2519–2526
United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at:
<https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>
- Resolution 2519 (May 14, 2020)–
The Security Council addressed the ongoing conflict between Sudan and South Sudan over Abyei and other territory along the borders of the two countries. It commended the governments and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism between Sudan and South Sudan for the progress they had made and encouraged greater involvement by “the African Union, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, and the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.” Due to ongoing “security threats and targeted attacks against peacekeepers in UNISFA” and continued unrest in the region, the Council decided to extend UNISFA's mandate and modified mandate (as laid out in resolutions 1990 (2011), 2024 (2011), and 2075 (2012)) until November 15, 2020. It encouraged each government to support UNISFA and reaffirmed the required demilitarization of the region apart from “UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service.” While “[m]aintain[ing] the authorized troop and police ceilings” created by resolution 2497 (2019), it “decide[d] to allow postponement in the withdrawal of 295 troops above the authorized troop ceiling” based on “the Secretary – General[‘s] … COVID-19 related suspension on troop repatriations.” Lastly, it requested a report from the Secretary General regarding UNISFA's work in the region by October 15, 2020.
- Resolution 2520 (May 29, 2020)–
The Security Council emphasized the need to continually pursue the completion of the Somali-led Transition Plan (STP) and an “inclusive political settlement between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its Federal Member States (FMS).” The Security Council noted that sufficient progress was not being made toward achieving the goals laid out “in paragraph 1 and paragraph 24 of resolution 2472 (2019), committed to in the 2019 Mutual Accountability Framework and based on commitments set out in the 2017 Security Pact agreed at the London Somalia conference.” It reiterated the need to adhere to the Working Group Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2017/2) while acknowledging the challenges created by COVID-19 and continued violence by Al Shabaab.
Acting under Chapter VII, the Council indicated several actions the FGS and FSM should take “to fulfil the priority measures in the 2019 Mutual Accountability Framework,” including to “[r]each an inclusive political settlement” and “[a]ccelerate technical and security planning for elections.” It gave guidelines on how to continue to build capacity, ensure the implementation of the STP, and respond to violence. The Council requested strategic and financial support from the AU in the transition, outlined AMISOM's continued role in the region, and reiterated that all AMISOM forces must be in compliance with international humanitarian law, specifically Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to Non-United Nations security forces (HRDDP). Both AMISOM and the AU must focus on building up “compliance and accountability measures” through “reporting to the Civilian Casualty Tracking Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC)” and complying with “AMISOM's zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.” It asked for continued “logistical support” from the Secretary-General that is in compliance with HRDDP and “[r]eiterate[d] its call for new donors.” The Council stated that “a comprehensive approach to security which is collaborative, gender-responsive and stabilising” must be used in the fight against Al Shabaab and requested continued reports and review of the transition and security situation.
- Resolution 2521 (May 29, 2020)–
After positively acknowledging “the beginning … of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGNU)” in South Sudan, the Security Council also noted ongoing issues, specifically “misappropriation of funds,” ongoing violence, and the need for “leaders to finalize establishment of the RTGNU and fully implement … the Revitalised Agreement.” Acting under Chapter VII, it renewed and reaffirmed the arms-related measures and provisions in paragraphs 4 and 5 of resolution 2428 (2018); the Council also requested that the Secretariat collaborate with the RTGNU and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to generate “a report assessing the role of the arms embargo in facilitating implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and articulating options for the elaboration of benchmarks.” The Council encouraged member states to inspect shipments to South Sudan that may contain “items…prohibited by paragraph 4 of resolution 2428 (2018)” and authorized them to destroy illicit cargo found during those inspections. Member states must report the original inspection and the destruction of goods (if applicable) in two separate reports to the Committee. The Council renewed and reaffirmed targeted sanctions provided for in resolutions 2206 (2015) and 2428 (2018). It also included a comprehensive list of individuals who can be sanctioned according to paragraphs 9 and 12 of resolution 2206 (2015), including those who have “breach[ed] … the Revitalized Agreement,” “target[ed] …civilians,” or “attack[ed]…United Nations missions … or… personnel.” Lastly, the Council supported the continued work of the Panel of Experts by extending its mandate until July 1, 2020 and encouraging “all parties and … Member States … as well as international, regional and subregional organizations” to continue to cooperate with the Panel.
- Resolution 2522 (May 29, 2020)–
The Security Council “extend[ed] the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) until 31 May 2021” and laid out specific objectives for UNAMI and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to pursue based on information received from the Iraqi government. The objectives include providing “advice, support, and assistance … on advancing inclusive, political dialogue and … reconciliation,” supporting “security sector reform,” “constitutional review,” and “the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance,” “promot[ing] accountability and the protection of human rights, and judicial and legal reform,” “approach[ing] gender mainstreaming as a crosscutting issue,” and “strengthen[ing] child protection.” The Council will “review the mandate and reporting cycle of UNAMI by 31 May 2021, or sooner” and “[r]equest[ed] the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months.”
- Resolution 2523 (May 29, 2020)–
Due to continued unrest in Sudan, the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII, “[d]ecide[d] that the African Union-United Nations Mission Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) shall maintain its current troop and police ceilings … and … all team sites for mandate implementation” until June 3, 2020. It intends to adopt a new resolution by June 3, 2020 that includes more details about how UNAMID will withdraw from the region.
- Resolution 2524 (June 3, 2020)–
The Security Council established and laid out objectives for a United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). Its primary objectives are to “[a]ssist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace,” “[s]upport peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements,” “[a]ssist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Darfur and the Two Areas,” and “[s]upport the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.” The Security Council requested the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Sudan and Head of Mission of UNITAMS, and a Deputy Special Representative, as well as the creation of an Integrated Strategic Framework to coordinate the work of UNITMAS and the United Nations Country Team partners. UNITMAS must adhere to a “zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse,” “establish an appropriate mechanism for joint and coordinated peacebuilding support” with UNCT partners, “[integrate] gender considerations as a crosscutting issue throughout its mandate,” and “ensure … strict compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces.” Additionally, it must work closely with other parties, including the Panel of Experts on the Sudan, the African Union, and other United Nations Missions, and “establish a coordination mechanism [with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur] to determine the modalities and timelines for the transition of responsibilities.” The Security Council requests a report from the Secretary-General on the work of UNITMAS every 90 days.
- Resolution 2525 (June 3, 2020)–
The Security Council acknowledged the “improvements in security conditions in Darfur” brought about, in part, by the weapons-collection programme and the Government of Sudan's National Plan for Civilian Protection (S/2020/429); however, it also noted “the African Union Peace and Security Council's call for extreme caution in the withdrawal of [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur] UNAMID” and the importance of not letting the peace process suffer during the withdrawal. In this context, acting under Chapter VII, it “[d]ecide[d] to extend the mandate of … [UNAMID] as contained in resolution 2495 (2019) until 31 December 2020, and further decide[d] that UNAMID shall maintain its current troop and police ceiling during this period.” During this time, “UNAMID's strategic priority shall be protection of civilians.” It should help build the Sudanese government's capacity in this respect. UNAMID should work with UNITMAS to “establish a coordination mechanism to determine the modalities and timelines for the transition of responsibilities.” It should collaborate with the Sudanese government to “finalise … a revised framework agreement which ensures the principle of civilian end-use and the security and physical integrity of the handed-over UNAMID team sites and assets.” Within its extended mandate, UNAMID is also responsible for helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while also prioritizing the “health of all UNAMID personnel.” Referring back to related resolutions 2378 (2017) and 2436 (2018), the Council requested that “a comprehensive and integrated performance policy framework” be applied to UNAMID personnel. Lastly, the Council requested “an assessment of the situation on the ground…and recommendations on the appropriate course of action regarding the drawdown of UNAMID” from the Secretary General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission by October 31, 2020.
- Resolution 2526 (June 5, 2020)–
Referring back to various resolutions relating to the imposition and implementation of an arms embargo on Libya, the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII, “extend[ed] the authorizations as set out in resolution 2473 for a further 12 months.” It requested a report from the Secretary General “within eleven months of the adoption of this resolution on its implementation.”
