By Olamilekan FAWAS
The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution to re-authorise the deployment of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia till May 31, 2019.
Resolution 2431, which won unanimous approval of the 15 members of the Security Council, decides to reduce the level of uniformed personnel for the AU mission, known as AMISOM, to 20,626 by Feb. 28, 2019 and to include a minimum of 1,040 police personnel.
Resolution 2431 followed a May 15 resolution that extended the mandate of AMISOM till July 31 in a “technical rollover’’ in order to allow for the consideration of an AU/UN joint comprehensive assessment of the mission.
The May 15 resolution envisaged a reduction of AMISOM’s uniformed personnel to 20,626 by Oct. 30, 2018.
Swedish ambassador to the United Nations Olof Skoog, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of July, said before the vote on the draft resolution on Monday that the drawdown of troops was delayed, but the schedule was in line with recommendations of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Resolution 2431 specifically stresses that there should be no further delay in the reduction of the level of uniformed AMISOM personnel beyond Feb. 28, 2019.
AMISOM was created by the AU in January 2007. Its mandate won the approval of the UN Security Council.
