United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2437–2446
United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at:
<http://www.un.org/en/sc/documents/resolutions/>
- Resolution 2437 (October 3, 2018) –
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council renewed for twelve months its authorization to allow member states to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion that they are being used for smuggling migrants or human trafficking, as long as they make efforts to obtain the consent of the vessel's flag state before exercising that authority. The Council highlighted the necessity of putting “an end to the ongoing proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the smuggling of migrants and trafficking of persons in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya.”
- Resolution 2438 (October 11, 2018) –
The UN Security Council extended modifications to the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until April 15, 2019, stating that this will be the final extension unless the parties reach specified benchmarks regarding border demarcation. The Council noted that the “situation in Abyei and along the border between the Sudan and South Sudan continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace and security,” but also welcomed the progress that had been made towards implementing the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) and called on Sudan and South Sudan to fully implement the JBVMM. The modifications being extended include UNISFA's support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in the Abyei border region. The Council also determined that it would “maintain UNISFA's authorized troop ceiling of 4,500 until 15 November 2018; and further decides that as of 15 April 2019, the authorized troop ceiling shall decrease by 541 troops, unless it decides to extend the mandate modification.”
- Resolution 2439 (October 30, 2018) –
The Security Council expressed grave concern about the most recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and condemned attacks by armed groups, including those creating greater risks for responders and harming the response efforts. The Council expressed concern about the overall security situation in the DRC and highlighted the need for the government to protect civilians, while calling for the cessation of hostilities between all armed groups. The Council also encouraged the Ebola responders to improve transparency and accuracy in their daily reporting and emphasized the need for all actors to improve communication with the public and “to implement, the established safety and health protocols and preventive measures to mitigate against misinformation and undue alarm about the transmission and extent of the outbreak among and between individuals and communities.” The Council highlighted the World Health Organization's assessment that Ebola is at risk of spreading to regional states in Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi, and asked that all those within the UN system “accelerate their response to the Ebola outbreak, within the overall coordination of WHO, including by supporting the development and implementation of preparedness and operational plans.”
- Resolution 2440 (October 31, 2018) –
The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30, 2019, and reiterated the need to achieve a lasting political solution to the question of Western Sahara based on compromise. The Council called upon all parties to refrain from actions that might undermine peace negotiations or exacerbate the situation in the Western Sahara, to cooperate with MINURSO operations, and to work together in order to promote dialogue and advance negotiations. The Council also requested that “the parties and neighboring states to engage productively with MINURSO as it further considers how new technologies can be used to reduce risk, improve force protection, and better implement its mandate.”
- Resolution 2441 (November 5, 2018) –
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts who oversee the sanctions targeting the illicit export of oil from Libya until February 15, 2020. The Council also determined that those perpetrating acts involving sexual and gender-based violence may be subject to the travel ban and asset freeze already in place. The Council condemned “attempts to illicitly export petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products, from Libya, including by parallel institutions which are not acting under the authority of the Government of National Accord,” and reaffirmed the travel ban and assets freeze initially stated Resolution 1970 (2011), which applies to those engaging in activities that threaten the peace or undermine Libya's political transition. The Council also requested that all parties ensure the safety of the Panel's members, and asked that all parties, as well as Libya and states in the region in particular, provide unhindered and immediate access to the Panel, especially to the people, documents, and sites the Panel deems relevant to the execution of its mandate.
- Resolution 2442 (November 6, 2018) –
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council renewed the authorizations allowing international naval forces to join in the fight against piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia for an additional twelve months. The Council reiterated its condemnation of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. The Council highlighted “that piracy exacerbates instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cash that fuels additional crime, corruption, and terrorism,” and stressed the need for a comprehensive response to piracy that includes efforts by the international community working with Somali authorities to address its underlying causes. The Council noted that it is the Somali authorities' primary responsibility to address piracy and armed robbery at sea off Somalia's coast and called upon authorities to “have mechanisms in place to safely return effects seized by pirates, investigate and prosecute pirates and to patrol the waters off the coast of Somalia to prevent and suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.” The Council also encouraged the Somali government to approve a draft coast guard law that the Somali authorities, with the support of EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta and EUCAP Somalia, have submitted to the Council of Ministers, and promoted efforts to pass a comprehensive set of anti-piracy and maritime laws.
- Resolution 2443 (November 6, 2018) –
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council renewed its authorization of the European-led multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) for one additional year. The Council noted its commitment to the political settlement of the conflicts in the Former Yugoslavia and the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also stating the “importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina's transition to a functional, reform oriented, modern and democratic European country.” The Council requested “all concerned parties to work constructively for the implementation of the results of the election and emphasizing the importance of a swift government formation at all levels, in the interest of all citizens.” The Council also authorized “Member States to take all necessary measures, at the request of either EUFOR ALTHEA or the NATO Headquarters, in defence of the EUFOR ALTHEA or NATO presence respectively, and to assist both organizations in carrying out their missions.”
- Resolution 2444 (November 14, 2018) –
The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, lifted the arms embargo, travel ban, assets freeze, and targeted sanctions on Eritrea, while also renewing sanctions against Somalia. The Council noted its support for Somalia's efforts to reduce threats to peace and security posed by Al-Shabaab and affiliates linked to ISIL, while also condemning violations of the arms embargo in Somalia, including when this results in supplies reaching these groups. The Council also ended the mandate of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group, to take place on December 16, and replaced it with a Panel of Experts on Somalia tasked with overseeing the remaining sanctions on that country. The Panel of Experts will also continue the investigations started by the Monitoring Group related to the export to Somalia of various chemicals that may be used as oxidizers in creating improvised explosive devices.
- Resolution 2445 (November 15, 2018) –
The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until May 15, 2019, while also reducing UNISFA's troop ceiling and increasing its police presence. Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Council decreased UNISFA's troop ceiling from 4,500 to 4,140 and increased its authorized police ceiling from 50 to 345 police personnel. The Council also decided to renew UNISFA's mandated tasks related to the protection of its personnel, facilities, equipment, and any civilians under any imminent threat of physical violence. The Council urged “continued progress towards the establishment of the Abyei Area interim institutions, in accordance with the Agreement on Temporary Administrative and Security Arrangements for the Abyei Area.”
- Resolution 2446 (November 15, 2018) –
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for one month until 15 December, with MINUSCA's mandate being maintained as set out in resolution 2387 (2017). The Council also took note of the Secretary-General's report of October 15, 2018, which builds on the conclusions and recommendations of the independent strategic review of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) conducted from June to September 2018.
