United Nations Security Council Resolution 954
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
954, adopted unanimously on November 4, 1994, after recalling Resolution 733
(1992) and all relevant resolutions on the situation in Somalia
and a recent Security Council mission to the country, the Council noted the lack of progress in the peace process and decided, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
, to extend the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II for a final time, until March 31, 1995.
The Security Council appreciated the efforts of the mission sent to convey the views of the Council to the Somali parties, and commended the work of thousands of personnel involved in the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), UNOSOM II and humanitarian efforts. It noted that hundreds of thousands of lives had been saved from starvation
. At the same time the Council acknowledged that the lack of co-operation between the Somali parties and factions undermined the United Nations objectives in Somalia and therefore the continuation of UNOSOM II beyond the end of March 1995 was not justified. There were guarantees from the Somali parties that they would co-operate and not interfere with the withdrawal of UNOSOM II. The United Nations would continue mediation in Somalia, in co-operation with the Organisation of African Unity, Arab League
and Organisation of the Islamic Conference
and the provision of humanitarian aid
would also be sustained.
By extending UNOSOM II's mandate for a final time, its main objective was to facilitate political reconciliation. All Somali factions were urged to negotiate and establish a transitional government of national unity. The parties also had to guarantee the safety of UNOSOM II and humanitarian personnel, authorising UNOSOM II to take action in order to protect its withdrawal. All Member States were called upon to continue to support the Somali peace process and to strictly observe the arms embargo
on the country imposed in Resolution 733. Finally, the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
was requested to report to the Council on the developments in all areas of Somalia before March 31, 1995, and to recommend suggestions on the role that the United Nations could play in Somalia after that date.
The last UNOSOM troops withdrew from Somalia on March 3, 1995. It marked the first time that the United Nations left a country without completing its aims.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
954, adopted unanimously on November 4, 1994, after recalling Resolution 733
United Nations Security Council Resolution 733
United Nations Security Council Resolution 733, adopted unanimously on January 23, 1992, after expressing its alarm at the situation in Somalia regarding the heavy loss of life, destruction to property and threat to regional stability, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations...
(1992) and all relevant resolutions on the situation in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
and a recent Security Council mission to the country, the Council noted the lack of progress in the peace process and decided, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, to extend the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II for a final time, until March 31, 1995.
The Security Council appreciated the efforts of the mission sent to convey the views of the Council to the Somali parties, and commended the work of thousands of personnel involved in the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), UNOSOM II and humanitarian efforts. It noted that hundreds of thousands of lives had been saved from starvation
Starvation
Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death...
. At the same time the Council acknowledged that the lack of co-operation between the Somali parties and factions undermined the United Nations objectives in Somalia and therefore the continuation of UNOSOM II beyond the end of March 1995 was not justified. There were guarantees from the Somali parties that they would co-operate and not interfere with the withdrawal of UNOSOM II. The United Nations would continue mediation in Somalia, in co-operation with the Organisation of African Unity, Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
and Organisation of the Islamic Conference
Organisation of the Islamic Conference
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Upon the groups's renaming, some sources provided the English-language translation "Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation", but and have since indicated the preferred English translation omits the "the". is an international organisation consisting of 57...
and the provision of humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
would also be sustained.
By extending UNOSOM II's mandate for a final time, its main objective was to facilitate political reconciliation. All Somali factions were urged to negotiate and establish a transitional government of national unity. The parties also had to guarantee the safety of UNOSOM II and humanitarian personnel, authorising UNOSOM II to take action in order to protect its withdrawal. All Member States were called upon to continue to support the Somali peace process and to strictly observe the arms embargo
Arms embargo
An arms embargo is an embargo that applies to weaponry. It may also include "dual use" items. An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:# to signal disapproval of behavior by a certain actor,# to maintain neutral standing in an ongoing conflict, or...
on the country imposed in Resolution 733. Finally, the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali is an Egyptian politician and diplomat who was the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996...
was requested to report to the Council on the developments in all areas of Somalia before March 31, 1995, and to recommend suggestions on the role that the United Nations could play in Somalia after that date.
The last UNOSOM troops withdrew from Somalia on March 3, 1995. It marked the first time that the United Nations left a country without completing its aims.
See also
- History of SomaliaHistory of SomaliaSomalia , officially the Republic of Somalia and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya on its southwest, the Gulf of Aden with Yemen on its north, the Indian Ocean at its east, and Ethiopia...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 901 to 1000 (1994 – 1995)
- Somali Civil WarSomali Civil WarThe Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...