United Nations Security Council Resolution 897
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
897, adopted unanimously on February 4, 1994, after reaffirming resolutions 733
(1992) and 886
(1992) and all of its subsequent resolutions on Somalia
, the Council discussed the role of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) in the peace process in the country.
The Security Council reaffirmed its decision to continue the mandate of the UNOSOM II mission until May 31, 1994, with the aim of completing its mission by March 1995. It was important that all parties abided by the obligations they entered into agreements, particularly as agreements signed in Addis Ababa
were the basis for resolving the conflict. Concern was expressed at the build up of weapon
s by Somali factions in several areas of the country. The continuing incidents of fighting and banditry
against aid workers and peacekeepers were condemned and disarmament
in order to establish peace was stressed. The Council commemorated those who had died and reiterated the importance that was attached to their safety. Furthermore, it was important that district and regional councils, a national council, police and a legal system were founded, with the commitment of the international community in this process was stated.
Determining that the situation in Somalia continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter
, revised the mandate of UNOSOM II as follows:
assisting with the implementation of peace agreements, particularly in relation to disarmament and respect for the ceasefire
; protecting port
s, airport
s and other essential infrastructure and communication lines; delivering humanitarian aid
; assisting in the reorganisation of the police
and judiciary
; helping in the repatriation and resettlement of displaced persons and refugee
s; assisting in the political process in Somalia to achieve a democratically
-elected government; protecting personnel from the United Nations and international humanitarian organisations.
It also strengthened the mission to 22,000 personnnel. The safer regions of Somalia were given priority in reconstruction, as was the process of demining
with the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
requested to ensure the start of as soon as possible. After reaffirming the continuing arms embargo
on the country, the Council urged Somali parties to co-operate with each other and UNOSOM II, respecting the ceasefire and refraining from violence against United Nations and humanitarian personnel.
The Secretary-General was in requested to establish contact with Somali parties after consultations with the Organisation of African Unity and the Arab League
to agree on a timetable for the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreements
. It was expected that the process would be completed by March 1995. Finally, Boutros-Ghali was requested to report to the Council in good time before May 31, 1994 on the situation.
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"....
897, adopted unanimously on February 4, 1994, after reaffirming resolutions 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 886
United Nations Security Council Resolution 886
United Nations Security Council Resolution 886, adopted unanimously on November 18, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 733 and all of its subsequent resolutions on Somalia, the Council discussed the situation in the country and renewed the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II ...
(1992) and all of its subsequent resolutions on 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...
, the Council discussed the role of the United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) in the peace process in the country.
The Security Council reaffirmed its decision to continue the mandate of the UNOSOM II mission until May 31, 1994, with the aim of completing its mission by March 1995. It was important that all parties abided by the obligations they entered into agreements, particularly as agreements signed in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
were the basis for resolving the conflict. Concern was expressed at the build up of weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s by Somali factions in several areas of the country. The continuing incidents of fighting and banditry
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
against aid workers and peacekeepers were condemned and disarmament
Disarmament
Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons. Disarmament generally refers to a country's military or specific type of weaponry. Disarmament is often taken to mean total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear arms...
in order to establish peace was stressed. The Council commemorated those who had died and reiterated the importance that was attached to their safety. Furthermore, it was important that district and regional councils, a national council, police and a legal system were founded, with the commitment of the international community in this process was stated.
Determining that the situation in Somalia continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security, acting 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...
, revised the mandate of UNOSOM II as follows:
assisting with the implementation of peace agreements, particularly in relation to disarmament and respect for the ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
; protecting port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
s, airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s and other essential infrastructure and communication lines; delivering 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...
; assisting in the reorganisation of the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
; helping in the repatriation and resettlement of displaced persons and refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s; assisting in the political process in Somalia to achieve a democratically
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
-elected government; protecting personnel from the United Nations and international humanitarian organisations.
It also strengthened the mission to 22,000 personnnel. The safer regions of Somalia were given priority in reconstruction, as was the process of demining
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
with 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...
requested to ensure the start of as soon as possible. After reaffirming the continuing 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, the Council urged Somali parties to co-operate with each other and UNOSOM II, respecting the ceasefire and refraining from violence against United Nations and humanitarian personnel.
The Secretary-General was in requested to establish contact with Somali parties after consultations with the Organisation of African Unity and the 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...
to agree on a timetable for the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreements
Addis Ababa Agreement (1993)
The Addis Ababa Agreement was a settlement reached at the 1993 Conference on National Reconciliation in Somalia.-External links:*...
. It was expected that the process would be completed by March 1995. Finally, Boutros-Ghali was requested to report to the Council in good time before May 31, 1994 on the situation.
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 801 to 900 (1993–1994)
- 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...