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UN / SOMALIA
STORY: UN / SOMALIA
TRT: 2.02
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 12 NOVEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
12 NOVEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY
2. Various shots, Security Council vote
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations:
“There is, we hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. The Council’s commitment and sustained partnership in support of the critical priorities in Somalia is at a turning point today, and this resolution clearly states and clearly points out, that the Security Council and the international community are still seized with Somalia’s problems, issues, and stability and peace. “
5. Wide shot, Security Council
6. Wide shot, UK Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant walks up to the stakeout position
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
7. Close up, reporter’s notepad
12 NOVEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Lyall Grant, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations:
“This resolution has three main elements. Firstly, it introduces an increase of over 4,000 troops for AMISOM. Secondly, it requests the UN to provide logistical support for the Somali forces on joint operations with AMISOM, and thirdly, it sets in train the process for deploying a UN Guard unit to protect AMISOMs compounds in Somalia. AMISOM’s progress over the last two years has been remarkable. Thanks in huge part to their bravery and sacrifice, we saw a transition in Somalia which many said was impossible. But as recent attacks show, Al-Shabaab continue to pose a threat, not just in Somalia, but to the wider region and now was the right time for the Security Council to act.“
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
9. Close up, reporter’s notepad
12 NOVEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY
10. Wide shot, Grant walks away
The United Nations Security Council today (12 November) authorized a temporary boost for the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia of over 4,000 troops and an expanded logistical package so it can maintain basic security and respond to the evolving threat from Al-Shabaab insurgents.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council extended the deployment of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – which was created in 2007 – until 31 October 2014.
It also requested the AU to increase AMISOM’s force strength from 17,731 to a maximum of 22,126 uniformed personnel, and decided to expand the logistical support package provided to the force by the United Nations.
The Council underlined that the increases in force strength decided in the resolution “are to provide a short-term enhancement of AMISOM’s military capacity,” for a period of 18 to 24 months and as part of an overall exit strategy for AMISOM, after which a decrease in the Mission’s force strength will be considered.
Somali Ambassador Elmi Ahmed Duale told the Council that he hopes there is “a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Duale said the Council’s “commitment and sustained partnership in support of the critical priorities in Somalia is at a turning point today, and this resolution clearly states and clearly points out, that the Security Council and the international community are still seized with Somalia’s problems, issues, and stability and peace. “
Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the AU had recently recommended enhancements for the Mission, including helicopters and other enablers, so that it can combat the insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation, which is trying to move past decades of fighting and advance peace and development.
Outside the Council, British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told journalists that “AMISOM’s progress over the last two years has been remarkable” and “we saw a transition in Somalia which many said was impossible.”
But, Grant pointed out, “as recent attacks show, Al-Shabaab continue to pose a threat, not just in Somalia, but to the wider region and now was the right time for the Security Council to act.“
In today’s resolution, the 15-member Council also took note of the Secretary-General’s intention to deploy an appropriate UN Static Guard unit to strengthen security at the compounds of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which was set up in June to support the Government and the people of the country in their quest for security and prosperity.
The Council also urged increased collaboration between the AU, UN and the Federal Government of Somalia, “including on a comprehensive approach to peace, security and development which integrates political, security, peacebuilding and development activities, recognizing that none can succeed in isolation.”
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