United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2544-2554 United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at: <https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>

Resolution 2545 (September 25, 2020) –

In response to a request from the President of Colombia, in agreement with the People's Alternative Revolutionary Forces (FARC), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Columbia to September 25, 2021. The Verification Mission was established in resolution 2355 (2017) for the purpose of verifying the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace (Final Agreement). The extension also applies to the reporting requirements found in resolutions 2366 (2017), 2377 (2017), 2435 (2018), and 2487 (2019).

The Security Council welcomed the progress made towards peace across Colombia since the adoption of the Final Agreement and urged all parties to work together to sustain that progress through comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement. The Council expressed its willingness to further extend the mandate of the Verification Mission upon both parties continued agreement. The Security Council expressed its readiness to consider enlarging the scope of the mandate of the Verification Mission to include the task of verifying compliance with the sentences of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace if consistent with the ongoing consultation process coordinated by the Government of Colombia.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2545(2020)]

Resolution 2546 (October 2, 2020) –

In response to the Secretary-General's report on migrants and refugees in Libya (S/2020/876), the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, condemned the continued acts of migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Libya and off its coast. The Council renewed the authorizations set out in paragraphs 7, 8, 9, and 10 of resolution 2240 (2015) for an additional twelve months. The authorizations pertain to Member States' inspecting, seizing, reporting, and confronting vessels off the coast of Libya that are suspected of migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The Security Council will continue to review the situation in Libya.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2546(2020)]

Resolution 2547 (October 15, 2020) –

The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in accordance with resolution 2476 (2019). The BINUH, headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has the mission of establishing an “inclusive inter-Haitian national dialogue to address longstanding drivers of instability by creating a sustainable and commonly accepted framework to permit the organization of free, fair, and transparent legislative elections as soon as technically feasible.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2547(2020)]

Resolution 2548 (October 30, 2020) –

The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for one year, emphasizing, “the need to achieve a realistic, practicable and enduring political solution.” The Council welcomed the commitment by Morocco, the Frente Polisario, Algeria, and Mauritania to engage in the UN political process on Western Sahara and the momentum created by the round-table meetings held on December 5-6, 2018, and March 21-22, 2019. The Security Council noted the intent of Horst Köhler, the former Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, to hold another roundtable meeting between the parties and encouraged the incoming Personal Envoy to sustain the renewed negotiations. The Council reaffirmed the need to fully respect the military agreements reach with MINURSO and called on the parties to fully adhere to those agreements.

The Security Council invited member states to lend appropriate assistance to these talks and urged the member states to provide contributions to fund food programs to ensure the humanitarian needs of refugees are addressed. The Secretary-General was requested to regularly brief the Security Council on the status and progress of the negotiations, the implementation of this resolution, and the challenges to MINURSO's operations.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2548(2020)]

Resolution 2549 (November 5, 2020) –

The Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, authorized the member states to establish a multinational stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, formally named the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA), for an additional twelve months. EUFOR ALTHEA has the mission of ensuring the implementation of Annex 1-A and Annex 2 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Peace Agreement). EUFOR ALTHEA is the legal successor to Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR).

The Security Council renewed the authorizations set out in paragraph 11 of resolution 2183 (2014). Resolution 2183 welcomed NATO's decision to establish a NATO Headquarters in the region and authorized member states acting through, or in cooperation with, NATO to maintain the NATO Headquarters.

The Security Council reiterated that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the primary responsibility for the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Council called upon the authorities to fully cooperate with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and to prioritize the implementation of comprehensive reforms beneficial to all citizens. The Council reaffirmed that, under the Peace Agreement and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitution, Bosnia and Herzegovina are two separate legal entities and any change to the Constitution must be made in accordance with the amendment procedure prescribed therein.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2549(2020)]

Resolution 2550 (November 12, 2020) –

In response to the continued threat to international peace and security posed by the situation in Abyei and on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1990 (2011), and, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, extended the tasks of UNISFA found in paragraph 3 of resolution 1990 (2011) until May 15, 2021. Additionally, the Council extended the mandate modifications set out in resolution 2024 (2011) and paragraph 1 of resolution 2075, until May 15, 2021. The mandate modifications establish UNISFA's support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM). The Security Council determined that Sudan and South Sudan should continue to make progress towards border demarcation by more fully cooperating with UNISFA and JBVMM.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2550(2020)]

Resolution 2551 (November 12, 2020) –

The Security Council called upon the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to continue cooperating with the Somali financial authorities, private sector financial institutions, and the international community to identify and address money laundering and terrorist financing. The Council further requested the FGS to work with member states in addressing the issues and for the FGS to regularly report on the specific steps taken towards countering the financing of terrorism. The Security Council urged the FGS and the Federal Member States (FMS) to continue to make progress on the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan. The two parties were called on to accelerate their implementation of the National Security Architecture and to enhance civilian oversight of their security apparatus.

The Council reaffirmed the arms embargo that is to last until the Council decides to end it, stating that, “all States shall, for the purposes of establishing peace and stability in Somalia, implement a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia.” The resolution provides for several exemptions to the arms embargo with most pertaining to assistance received by the Somali National Security Forces.

The Security Council condemned continued violations of the total ban on charcoal exportation from Somalia and welcomed the progress the FGS, FMS, and member states have made in reducing such violations. In response to the increase in IED attacks by Al-Shabaab, the Council decided all states should prevent the “direct or indirect sale, supply or transfer” of materials relevant to IEDs, as set out in part 1 of Annex C in this resolution. Finally, the Council renewed the Panel on Somalia until December 15, 2021. The Panel's mandate is set out in paragraph 1 of this resolution and paragraph 11 of resolution 2444 (2018).

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2551(2020)]

Resolution 2552 (November 12, 2020) –

The resolution is in response to the Report of the Secretary-General of October 9, 2020, (S/2020/994) and the Security Council's determination that the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to be a threat to international peace and security. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council made declarations on CAR political processes, economic recovery and development, human rights, and on the mandate of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

The Council reiterated its support for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and his government's efforts towards lasting peace and stability in the CAR and their commitment under the Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR by the Car (Peace Agreement). The Council demanded the fourteen armed groups, the other signatories to the Peace Agreement, to cease all forms of violence and to fully implement the Peace Agreement with the CAR Authorities. The Security Council urged the CAR authorities and national stakeholders to ensure an “inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, peaceful, and timely presidential, legislative and local elections in 2020 and 2021.”

The Security Council urged the CAR authorities to continue to consolidate public financial management and accountability with the support of the international community. The Council called on member states to distribute pledges made at the international conference in Brussels on November 17, 2016, and to consider providing additional funding or technical expertise.

The Council reiterated the need to hold accountable all those violating international humanitarian law and abusing human rights, recalling that committing acts of incitement to violence or supporting such acts may be a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to resolution 2536 (2020). The Security Councill urged all parties to the armed conflict in the CAR to end all violations and abuses committed against children, as well as sexual and gender-based violence.

The Security Council extended the mandate of MINUSCA until November 15, 2021. MINUSCA's objective is to “support the creation of the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to the sustainable reduction of the presence of, and threat posed by, armed groups through a comprehensive approach and proactive and robust posture without prejudice to the basic principles of peacekeeping.” The resolution then provides for the priorities and other tasks of MINUSCA.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2552(2020)]

Resolution 2553 (December 4, 2020) –

In order to establish a more comprehensive approach to security sector reform, this resolution supplements prior resolutions related to security sector reform by providing for the consideration of additional stabilization factors throughout the reform process and in the context of relevant country-specific mandates. The Security Council, recognizing the interrelation between security sector reform and other key factors of stabilization, reaffirmed the importance of security sector reform in peacebuilding and sustainable peace.

The Council reiterated the need for national ownership of security sector reform and recognized the importance of considering the host countries' perspective while developing relevant mandates. The Council encouraged member states undertaking such reforms to define an inclusive national vision and strategy based on the needs and aspirations of the entire population. The Security Council particularly encouraged material participation by women, youth engagement, and mainstreaming child protection measures.

The Security Council stressed the importance of the reform process's development of professional, accessible, and accountable policing capabilities and that the process must address impunity from violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The Council underlined the importance of partnerships with regional organizations, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, and encouraged the Secretary-General to continue to facilitate cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union. The Security Council requested that the Secretary-General strengthen the comprehensive approach of the United Nations by developing additional guidance and to prepare a report on these efforts in September 2021.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2553(2020)]

Resolution 2554 (December 4, 2020) –

In response to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/1072) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council renewed the authorizations set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 2500 (2019), pertaining to member states and regional organizations cooperation with Somali authorities in the fight against piracy and armed robbery off the Somalia coast, for an additional twelve months. The Council decided that the arms embargo on Somalia, imposed by resolution 733 (1992) and paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1425 (2002), does not apply to supplies or assistance provided to member states, international, regional, and sub-regional organizations undertaking measures in accordance with the renewed authorizations.

The Council recognized the destabilizing effect that piracy has on Somalia. The Council stressed the need for a comprehensive response by the international community, while underlining that the primary responsibility of the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea belongs to the Somali authorities. The Security Council valued the launch of the Department of Somali Maritime Administration and welcomed the National Maritime Coordination Committee meeting convened by the Federal Government of Somalia.

The Security Council called upon the Somali authorities to make all efforts to bring those involved in piracy to justice and recognized the need to develop the capacity of Somali authorities to investigate and prosecute such persons. The Council called upon all member states to provide support for the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia and to cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of all persons involved in such acts.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2554(2020)]