United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2609–2614 United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at: <https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>
- Resolution 2609 (December 15, 2021) –
The Security Council met and reaffirmed “all previous resolutions and Presidential statements concerning the situation in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan” stressing the importance of full compliance.
The Council reaffirmed “its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan and South Sudan” and also reiterated “that the territorial boundaries of States shall not be altered by force, and that any territorial disputes shall be settled exclusively by peaceful means.”
The Council encouraged “the African Union, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and the United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa to intensify their mediation roles with the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan to encourage them to establish temporary administrative and security arrangements for Abyei and to achieve a political solution for the status of Abyei.”
The Council expressed concern over recent developments in South Sudan, “including threats to the safety and security of peacekeepers.”
The Council noted “that over the course of ten years the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan have not made progress establishing joint institutions in Abyei.”
The Council encouraged “Sudan and South Sudan to engage in substantive dialogue that can advance the political process for resolution of the Abyei dispute.”
- Resolution 2610 (December 17, 2021) –
The Security Council reaffirmed that “terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations.”
The Council reiterated “its unequivocal condemnation of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities for ongoing and multiple criminal terrorist acts aimed at causing the deaths of innocent civilians and other victims, destruction of property, and greatly undermining stability.”
The Council further reiterated that “terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, or civilization.”
The Council urged “all States, including States where ISIL is present, to prevent any trade, economic, and financial ties with ISIL, Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities, including through enhancing their border security efforts.” The Council emphasized that “sanctions are an important tool under the Charter of the United Nations in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security.”
The Council recognized the need “to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations, and individual terrorists” and reiterated that “the central role of the United Nations,” in particular its Security Council, is in preventing and combatting terrorism through the setting of global standards for preventing and combatting money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
The Council expressed concern at the increased use of new information and communications technologies, in particular the internet, to facilitate terrorist acts, as well as their use to incite, recruit, fund, or plan terrorist acts by terrorists and their supporters.
The Council called “upon Member States to move vigorously and decisively to cut the flows of funds and other financial assets and economic resources to individuals, groups, undertakings and entities on the ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List.”
The Council urged member states to promote awareness of the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List as widely as possible, including to relevant domestic agencies, the private sector, and the general public to ensure effective implementation.
- Resolution 2611 (December 17, 2021) –
The Security Council reaffirmed its “strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan” and showed support for the nation to continue to be “peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”
The Council stated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including amoung individuals and groups.
The Council reiterated “the need to ensure that the present sanctions regime contributes effectively to ongoing efforts to bring about sustainable and inclusive peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, and not[ed] the importance of the sanctions review when appropriate.”
The Council determined “that the situation in Afghanistan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, and reaffirm[ed] the need to combat this threat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, stressing in this regard the important role the United Nations plays in this effort.”
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council decided that “all States shall continue to take the measures required by paragraph 1 of resolution 2255 (2015) with respect to individuals and entities designated prior to the date of adoption of resolution 1988 (2011).”
The Council also directed “the Monitoring Team to gather information on instances of non-compliance with the measures imposed.”
- Resolution 2612 (December 20, 2021) –
The Security Council “reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the [Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)] as well as all States in the region and emphasis[ed] the need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation.”
The Council noted that “that the DRC continues to suffer from recurring and evolving cycles of conflict and persistent violence by foreign and domestic armed groups, which exacerbate a deeply concerning security, human rights and humanitarian crisis, as well as inter-communal and militia violence in areas of the DRC.”
The Council expressed “great concern over the humanitarian situation that has left an estimated 27 million Congolese in need of humanitarian assistance.” The Council further expressed “deep concern regarding the growing number of internally displaced persons in the DRC with more than 5 million estimated to have been displaced to date.”
The Council “welcom[ed] the efforts of [The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)] and international partners in delivering training in human rights, international humanitarian law, gender mainstreaming, child protection and protection from sexual and gender-based violence to Congolese security institutions” and stressed their underlining importance.
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council strongly urged “all Congolese political stakeholders to spare no efforts in implementing the critical governance, security and economic reforms contained in the Government's programme of action 2021–2023.”
Generally, the Council gave guidance in relation to: political situations, MONUSCO's mandate, protection of civilians, gender and sexual violence, humanitarian action, and sanctions.
The Council, also acting under Chapter VII, requested the Secretary-General call upon regional organizations to provide political support for the strengthening of state institutions in the DRC; urged “the Government of the DRC to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and abuses of human rights;” and “strongly condemn[ed] sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations perpetrated by all parties in the DRC.”
The Council also condemned the continued illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources “conflict minerals.”
The Council presented an exit strategy that “stresse[d] the importance of a strategic and coherent approach by the United Nations, the Government of the DRC, international financial institutions and other multilateral and bilateral partners to the mobilisation and use of resources to ensure that the conditions are in place for MONUSCO's responsible and sustainable withdrawal.”
- Resolution 2613 (December 21, 2021) –
The Security Council expressed concern regarding the situation in the Middle East in which “ongoing military activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic.” The concern being that such activity would “jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground.”
The Council reaffirmed “its readiness to consider listing individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities providing support to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.” This list would include, “those who are financing, arming, planning, or recruiting for ISIL or the Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with ISIL and Al-Qaida as listed on the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, including those participating in or otherwise supporting attacks against UNDOF peacekeepers.”
The Council encouraged “ the Department of Peace Operations, UNDOF, and the UN Truce Supervision Organization to continue relevant discussions on recommendations from the 2018 independent review to improve mission performance and implementation of UNDOF's mandate.”
The Council requested “the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement [the] resolution.”
- Resolution 2614 (December 21, 2021) –
The Security Council “[determined] that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security.”
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided “to authorise the Member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 31 March 2022” and requested “the Secretary-General to continue to provide a logistical support package in full compliance of Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to Non-United Nations security forces.”
The Council decided “to remain actively seized of the matter.”
