Resolution 2760 Extending UNISFA Mandate and Calling for Strategic Review Amidst Abyei Tensions (November 14, 2024) –

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2760 on November 14, 2024, extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until November 15, 2025. The resolution, passed with 14 votes in favor and one abstention (the Russian Federation), reaffirms the Council’s commitment to the peace, security, and stability of the Abyei Area and the broader region while addressing ongoing challenges and calling for a critical reassessment of the mission’s future.

A key component of Resolution 2760 is the decision to maintain UNISFA’s authorized troop and police ceilings. It also renews the mission’s support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) for another year, emphasizing its importance in monitoring the Sudan-South Sudan border.

Recognizing the evolving situation on the ground, the Council has mandated a strategic review of UNISFA. This review, to be conducted by the Secretary-General and presented by August 15, 2025, will assess the mission’s effectiveness, strategic objectives, and overall alignment with the current realities. The findings are expected to inform potential reconfigurations of UNISFA’s composition and mandate.

The resolution strongly underscores UNISFA’s protection of civilians (POC) mandate. It clarifies that this includes taking all necessary actions to protect civilians facing an imminent threat of physical violence, regardless of the source of such violence. This reiteration comes amidst continued insecurity in the region.

A significant portion of the resolution addresses the demilitarization of Abyei. The Security Council unequivocally condemned the continued presence and expansion of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other South Sudanese security service personnel within the Abyei Area. The resolution demands their immediate and unconditional redeployment. It further urges both Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure Abyei becomes effectively demilitarized. In line with its mandate, UNISFA is reaffirmed in its authority to undertake weapons confiscation and destruction within the Abyei Area.

Resolution 2760 also places a strong emphasis on humanitarian access, demanding that all parties allow full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel to reach civilians in need of assistance.

Furthermore, the Council urged stronger cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan to foster peace, security, and stability. It specifically called for the resumption of meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to address outstanding issues and build mutual trust.

The resolution calls upon both Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities to provide full support to UNISFA in the implementation of its mandate. This includes ensuring the prompt and full deployment of UNISFA personnel and equipment, guaranteeing the Force’s complete freedom of movement, and facilitating the uninterrupted provision of essential supplies such as food and fuel.

The abstention by the Russian Federation marks a notable moment, as it was reportedly the first abstention on a UNISFA resolution since the mission’s establishment in 2011.

In essence, Resolution 2760 (2024) seeks to maintain stability in Abyei through the continued presence of UNISFA, while simultaneously paving the way for a more strategically aligned and effective peacekeeping operation in the face of persistent political and security challenges.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2760(2024)]

Resolution 2761 Continued Humanitarian Exemption to Asset Freeze by Da’esh, Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime (December 6, 2024) –

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2761, adopted unanimously on December 6, 2024, extends indefinitely the humanitarian exemption to asset freeze measures imposed by the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime (1267/1989/2253). This resolution ensures that humanitarian aid providers can continue to operate and deliver assistance to populations in need in areas affected by these groups with greater clarity and predictability, without being unduly hindered by sanctions.

The resolution reiterates the framework established by Resolution 2664 (2022), which initially applied this exemption to the ISIL and Al-Qaida regime for a two-year period. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring of this humanitarian carve-out by the 1267 Sanctions Committee and its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, and calls for full cooperation from all Member States.

While facilitating humanitarian aid, the resolution also acknowledges the risk of abuse, such as non-profit organizations being used as front organizations by terrorist groups. It affirms the Council’s commitment to consider any information regarding sanctions implementation, including possible violations and the impact on aid beneficiaries. Humanitarian providers are reminded to use reasonable efforts to minimize any benefits to sanctioned individuals or entities. The resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2761(2024)]

Resolution 2762 Peace and Security in Africa, Somalia (December 13, 2024) –

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2762, adopted unanimously on December 13, 2024, addresses the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab to peace and security in Somalia and the wider region. This resolution primarily serves as a short-term technical rollover of the existing sanctions regime against Al-Shabaab, extending key measures and mandates to allow for further deliberations on the future configuration of these sanctions amidst a critical security transition period in Somalia, including the shift from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new successor mission.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council determined that Al-Shabaab’s efforts to undermine stability, including through terrorist acts, continue to constitute a significant threat to international peace and security. Consequently, the resolution renewed the authorization for Member States to conduct maritime interdictions in Somali territorial waters. This authorization pertains to vessels reasonably believed to be involved in illicit activities such as importing arms, exporting charcoal, or transporting components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which are banned under the sanctions regime. This crucial maritime interdiction authority was extended until February 28, 2025. These measures build upon provisions previously established in resolutions 2182 (2014), 2607 (2021), and most recently renewed by resolution 2713 (2023).

Furthermore, Resolution 2762 extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts, which assists the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Al-Shabaab in monitoring the implementation of the sanctions measures. The Panel of Experts’ mandate was renewed until March 31, 2025. The Council also expressed its clear intention to review this mandate and decide on its potential further extension by February 28, 2025.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2762(2024)]

Resolution 2763 Threats to International Peace and Security caused by terrorist acts (1988 Committee) (December 13, 2024) –

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2763, adopted unanimously on December 13, 2024, extends the mandate of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team that supports the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011). This Committee oversees sanctions measures against the Taliban and associated individuals and entities that threaten the peace, stability, and security of Afghanistan. The Monitoring Team’s mandate was renewed for a period of 14 months from the adoption of the resolution, until February 2026.

The core function of the Monitoring Team, as reaffirmed by this resolution, is to gather information on instances of non-compliance with the existing sanctions measures, which include asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo. The team also provides reports on the nature of the threat posed by the Taliban and its affiliates, assists the Committee with listing proposals for sanctions, and helps Member States build capacity to implement these measures effectively. The resolution underscores the continuing importance of the 1988 sanctions regime in fostering peace and stability in Afghanistan and highlights the essential role of the Monitoring Team’s reporting in assessing the Taliban’s actions and the conditions for humanitarian assistance.

While the operative paragraphs concerning the Monitoring Team’s mandate were largely a technical rollover of previous mandates, the resolution’s preambular text reflects deep concerns about the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. It expresses serious alarm over ongoing terrorist activities, including those perpetrated by ISIL (Da’esh), and condemns all such acts. The resolution also emphasizes the dire economic and humanitarian crisis in the country, noting its disproportionate impact on women, children, and minority groups.

A significant portion of the resolution addresses the deteriorating human rights situation, with particular emphasis on the increasing erosion of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls under the Taliban. It specifically notes with deep concern the Taliban’s decisions to suspend women’s and girls’ access to various levels of education, including medical institutions, and the issuance of directives that further restrict their rights and participation in public life. The resolution stresses the importance of establishing a truly inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan and reiterates the need to uphold human rights for all Afghans.

During the negotiations for Resolution 2763, while there was general agreement on extending the Monitoring Team’s mandate, discussions arose regarding the preambular language. Some member states pushed for stronger references to human rights abuses, particularly those affecting women and girls. Conversely, other members, while concurring with the resolution’s adoption, cautioned against shifting the primary focus of the 1988 sanctions regime from counter-terrorism to human rights, and called for the unfreezing of Afghan assets and an end to unilateral sanctions. Ultimately, the resolution was adopted unanimously, reflecting a consensus on the necessity of the Monitoring Team’s work while also voicing the international community’s grave concerns about the situation in Afghanistan.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2763(2024)]

Resolution 2764 Children and Armed Conflict (December 20, 2024) –

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2764, adopted unanimously on December 20, 2024, focuses on strengthening the protection of children affected by armed conflict, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the sustainability of child protection capacities during transitions in United Nations peace operations, such as drawdowns or withdrawals. The resolution, which garnered significant support with 111 member states co-sponsoring it, underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing grave violations against children in conflict zones.

The resolution strongly condemns all violations of applicable international law involving children in armed conflict. These include the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict, their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abductions, attacks against schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access to children. It reaffirms that all parties to armed conflict must strictly comply with their obligations under international law for the protection of children.

A key aspect of Resolution 2764 is its call for enhanced coordination among all relevant stakeholders to ensure the continuity, effectiveness, and sustainability of child protection activities. These stakeholders include the heads of UN peace operations, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, UNICEF, UN Resident Coordinators, and other relevant UN entities. The resolution stresses the crucial role of dedicated Child Protection Advisers within UN missions, advocating for their proper training and integration into all phases of mission planning and implementation, especially during periods of transition to ensure a smooth and responsible transfer of child protection responsibilities to UN country teams or other relevant entities.

Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the importance of accountability for all violations and abuses committed against children in armed conflict. It calls upon states to intensify efforts to combat impunity by strengthening national accountability mechanisms, including investigative and prosecutorial capacities. The resolution recognizes children primarily as victims of violations of international law and underscores the need for sustainable, timely, and appropriate community-based reintegration assistance, tailored to their specific needs.

Resolution 2764 also highlights the importance of education in post-conflict settings as a prerequisite for lasting peace and calls for its prioritization. It encourages member states, UN programs and funds, and financial institutions to support the development and strengthening of national institutions and local civil society networks dedicated to child protection. The role of regional and subregional organizations, particularly the African Union, in mainstreaming child protection in peace support operations is also acknowledged and encouraged. The resolution further urges states identified in the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict for violations to develop and implement action plans in cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. It also requests the Secretary-General to ensure that information communicated regarding violations against children is accurate, objective, and reliable.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2764(2024)]

Resolution 2765 The Situation Concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo (December 20, 2024) –

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2765, adopted unanimously on December 20, 2024, extends the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for one year, until December 20, 2025. Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the resolution addresses the ongoing instability and violence in eastern DRC, particularly condemning the offensive actions of the 23 March Movement (M23) in North Kivu which violate existing ceasefire agreements.

The resolution maintains MONUSCO’s three key strategic priorities: the protection of civilians, support for disarmament, demobilization, community reintegration and stabilization efforts, and assistance with security sector reform. It reaffirms that the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the Government of the DRC. To enable its protection mandate, MONUSCO is authorized to use all necessary means to promptly and effectively prevent attacks by armed groups against civilians. The resolution sets the mission’s authorized troop ceiling at 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers, 443 police personnel, and 1,270 personnel of formed police units, which includes, on an exceptional basis, its Force Intervention Brigade.

A significant aspect of Resolution 2765 is its focus on the gradual, responsible, and sustainable withdrawal of MONUSCO. It requests the Secretary-General to provide regular updates on the progress of this withdrawal and calls for a tailored strategy, particularly considering the conflict dynamics and protection risks in hotspot areas like North Kivu and Ituri Provinces, with this strategy to be presented to the Council by March 31, 2025. The resolution emphasizes the importance of ensuring that MONUSCO’s withdrawal does not lead to a security vacuum.

In response to the escalating security crisis, the resolution strongly calls on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease its support for the M23 and to immediately withdraw from DRC territory. It reiterates an urgent call for all parties involved in the conflict to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to engage in peaceful dialogue. The resolution also expresses continued support for regional peace initiatives, such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes, urging all stakeholders to remain committed to negotiations. During the deliberations, some Security Council members voiced concerns over the presence of foreign forces in the DRC and emphasized the need to accurately acknowledge their roles in the conflict.

[https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2765(2024)]