Relief Coordination in Somalia - S/RES/1972 (2011)

S/RES/1972 should be seen as a UN response to humanitarian issues that took place in Somalia. The response mainly consists on lifting temporarily some of the sanctions that are currently imposed on the country, as a way to provide some humanitarian relief for the local population. This lifting of the sanctions is to be highly regulated through reports to the Council and the efforts of an Emergency Relief Coordinator.



Preamble

The document reaffirms all its previous resolutions, including S/RES/733 (1992) that established the embargo on delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia, while also reaffirming the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the country. It condemns the flow of weapons, ammunition and related supplies in violation of the embargo. It reiterates that all States should refrain from violating the arms embargo in Somalia, and work to implement the target measures from S/RES/1844 (2008). It further underscores the importance of upholding neutrality when dealing with the provision of humanitarian aid and notes the reviews conducted by the Secretary-General. The resolution determines that the situation in the country is still a threat to international peace and security and for that acts under Chapter VII.

Operative Clauses

The resolutions stresses the obligation of all States to comply with the measures of the Somalian arms embargo and reaffirms the obligation of all parties to promote and ensure effective international humanitarian law takes place in Somalia. It still underscores the importance of humanitarian operations and call upon the organization and its Member States to take feasible steps to mitigate the misuse and misappropriation of those operations. It also puts forward that for a period of sixteen months measures regarding financial transfer for humanitarian purposes shall not be under sanctions. It further requests the Emergency Relief Coordinator to report to the Council by November 2011 and July 2012 on the implementation of those measures, before deciding to remain seized of the matter.