Communiqué of the 1158th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council held on 15 June 2023, on Updated Briefing on the Situation in the Horn of Africa.

Abstract

On Northern Ethiopia, the Council requested the AU Commission to undertake a needs assessment for the extension of the deployment of the Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) paying particular attention on the timelines and funding requirements to avoid its premature withdrawal. The Council also took note, with deep concern, of the suspension of food aid, by the World Food Programme and USAID on allegations of diversions for commercial purposes. On Somalia, the Council paid tribute to all ATMIS troop and police contributing countries (T/PCCs) and to all ATMIS men and women for their continued sacrifices in particularly difficult circumstances. The Council further took note of the progress in the ongoing process of drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops by end of June 2023; and encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to expedite the force generation programme in order to ensure the preservation of the gains registered thus far and the maintenance of the momentum in the fight against Al-Shabaab. On South Sudan, the Council strongly encouraged the R-TGoNU to expedite the implementation of all outstanding transitional tasks within the remaining time, including the graduation and deployment of Necessary Unified Forces; completion of the permanent constitution making process; Enactment of the National Electoral Commission Act and reconstitution of the National Electoral Commission and Political Parties Council; and on On Sudan, while strongly condemning the violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, the Council demanded unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and demilitarization of Khartoum, as well as the establishment of humanitarian corridors, in order to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in need.