United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2496–2500

United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at:

<https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>

Resolution 2496 (November 5, 2019)–

The Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, authorized the U.N. member states to establish, through or in cooperation with the European Union, a multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) for a further twelve-month period in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council authorized the member states “To take all necessary measures to effect the implementation of and to ensure compliance with annexes 1-A and 2 of the [General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina]” and to take necessary measures at the request of EUFOR ALTHEA or the NATO Headquarters “in defence of the EUFOR ALTHEA or NATO presence.” The Council also authorized the Member States to take any measures necessary to ensure compliance with the rules and procedures governing airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to “cooperate fully with all institutions involved in the implementation of this peace settlement.”

[https://undocs.org/S/RES/2496(2019)]

Resolution 2497 (November 14, 2019)–

The Security Council decided to extend until May 15, 2020, the mandate of the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) as set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1990 (2011) and, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, and decided to extend until the same date tasks assigned to UNISFA under paragraph 3 of the 2011 resolution, relating to, inter alia, the protection of UNISFA and U.N. personnel, facilities, installations, and equipment. The Council also extended until May 15, 2020, modifications to the mandate of UNISFA as set out in resolutions 2024 (2011) and 2075 (2012), relating to UNISFA's support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM). The Council determined that UNISFA and the JBVMM “should continue to demonstrate measurable progress on border demarcation” through a number of specific measures. The Council requested that the Secretary-General appoint a civilian Deputy Head of Mission for UNISFA and demanded “that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan provide full support to UNISFA.” It expressed “disappointment that the parties have obstructed full implementation of UNISFA's mandate and taken few steps to implement the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area.” The Council condemned “the intermittent presence of South Sudan security service personal and the deployment of Diffra Oil Police unites in the Abyei Area” and urged the Sudan and South Sudan Governments to take steps necessary to achieve the effective demilitarization of Abyei.

[https://undocs.org/S/RES/2497(2019)]

Resolution 2498 (November 15, 2019)–

The Security Council condemned continued attacks in Somalia by Al-Shabaab and expressed “grave concern” that Al-Shabaab continues to be a “serious threat to the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region.” Acting under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, the Council requested that the Panel of Experts on Somalia conduct an inquiry into the source of Al-Shabaab revenue, with input from the Federal Government of Somalia and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. The Council reaffirmed the “general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia” and enumerated a number of exemptions, applicable until November 15, 2020, to the embargo relating to weapons, military equipment, and technical advice “intended solely for the development of the Somali National Security Forces or Somalia security sector institutions,” as well as procedures relating to obtaining approval for deliveries exempted from the embargo. The Council also reaffirmed that the embargo does not apply to certain items “intended solely for the support of or use by United Nations personnel.” The Council recalled its previous decisions imposing targeted sanctions in Somalia and decided that until November 15, 2020, “measures imposed by paragraph 3 of its resolution 1844 (2008) shall not apply to the payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources necessary to ensure the timely delivery or urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia, by the United Nations.” The Council condemned the export of charcoal from Somalia in violation of the total ban of charcoal exports and reaffirmed its decision regarding the ban on the import and export of charcoal from Somalia set out in a number of previous resolutions. In view of the increased IED attacks by Al-Shabaab, the Council decided “that all States shall prevent the direct or indirect sale, supply or transfer of the items in [an annex] to this resolution to Somalia from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories. Finally, the Council renewed the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Somalia until December 15, 2020.

[https://undocs.org/S/RES/2498(2019)]

Resolution 2499 (November 15, 2019)–

Acting under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, the Security Council made a number of comments and calls for action concerning the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) with regard to political processes, including the continued implementation of the Peace Agreement of February 6, 2019, and human rights (specifically child protection and sexual violence in conflict). The Council also assigned the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) a number of tasks in relation to, inter alia: the protection of civilians; support to the peace process; and assistance with the presidential, legislative, and local elections in 2020/2021. The Council also authorized MINUSCA to engage in a number of other tasks, including: security sector reform; disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation; the promotion and protection of human rights; and support for gender mainstreaming. The Council urged all parties in the CAR to ensure the safety and free movement of MINUSCA personnel and to facilitate the timely delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the territory of the CAR. The Council requested that the Secretary-General review and report on the situation on a regular basis, including specific reporting periods of February 15, 2020, June 15, 2020, and October 10, 2020.

[https://undocs.org/S/RES/2499(2019)]

Resolution 2500 (December 4, 2019)–

The Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, reiterated its condemnation of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. Though the Council noted improvements in Somalia, it recognized that piracy still poses an “ongoing threat” to Somalia. The council stressed “the need for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community in collaboration with the Somali authorities.” The Council encouraged the Somali Federal Government to accede to the U.N. Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and to establish the legal framework necessary to address money laundering and financial support of piracy networks. The Council renewed the authorizations set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 2442 (2018) for an additional twelve-month period and decided that the arms embargo imposed on Somalia under resolutions 733 (1992), 1425 (2002), and 2093 (2013) “does not apply to supplies of weapons and military equipment or the provision of assistance destined for the sole use of Member States, international, regional, and sub-regional organizations undertaking measures [in relation to the above authorizations].” The Council urged all states to cooperate and support counter-piracy activities.

[https://undocs.org/S/RES/2500(2019)]