Ambassador Richard Mills
Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
December 12, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States voted in favor of a three-month rollover of the 2021 African Union Mission in Somalia mandate to provide additional time for an agreement on a reconfigured AU-led mission in Somalia.
AMISOM has played a vital role in addressing the al-Shabaab threat and supporting security in Somalia but delays in planning for a post-2021 mission puts future progress at risk. So, we urge the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, and their international friends to take advantage of this time to reach agreement consistent with UNSC Resolution 2568 on the strategic objectives, the duration, the size, composition, and financing for a reconfigured mission capable of addressing the evolving the al-Shabaab threat and enabling and building the capacity of Somali Security Forces to take over security responsibilities.
Given the urgency of these tasks, the United States urges all parties to reach agreement before the end of February 2022 to allow for adoption of a new mandate by March 31, 2022.
In conclusion, the United States would like to thank the penholder, the United Kingdom, for its diligence and collaboration in shepherding this resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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