The United Nations Security Council yesterday authorized the African Union to
set up a mission in Somalia to help stabilize the war-ravaged country to achieve
national reconciliation and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Resolution 1744 was adopted unanimously by the 15-member Security Council
under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows for enforcement measures.
According to the resolution, the operation, to be known as AMISOM, will
support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia, which has not had a functioning
government since 1991. It will help with the free movement, safe passage and
protection of all those involved with the process.
In adopting the resolution, the Security Council stressed "the need for
broad-based and representative institutions reached through an all-inclusive
political process in Somalia, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter,
in order to consolidate stability, peace and reconciliation in the country and
ensure that international assistance is as effective as possible."
The resolution also urged member states to provide personnel, equipment,
services and financial resources for the successful deployment of AMISOM.