               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2499 (2019)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                15 November 2019

               Resolution 2499 (2019)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8666th meeting, on
               15 November 2019

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling all of its previous resolutions, statements of its President, and press
               statements on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR),
                     Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and
               territorial integrity of the CAR, and recalling the importance of the principles of
               non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,
                     Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, such as consent of the parties,
               impartiality, and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate,
               recognising that the mandate of each peacekeeping mission is specific to the need and
               situation of the country concerned, underlining that the mandates that it authorises
               are consistent with the basic principles, reiterating that the Security Council expects
               full delivery of the mandates it authorises, and recalling in this regard its resolution
               2436 (2018),
                    Recalling that the CAR authorities have the primary responsibility to protect all
               populations in the CAR in particular from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and
               crimes against humanity, and recalling in this regard the importance of restoring state
               authority in all parts of the country,
                    Emphasizing that any sustainable solution to the crisis in the CAR should be
               CAR-owned, including the political process, and should prioritize reconciliation of
               the Central African people, through an inclusive process that involves men and
               women of all social, economic, political, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including,
               those displaced by the crisis,
                     Welcoming the signing of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in the
               CAR by the CAR authorities and 14 armed groups in Bangui on 6 February 2019
               (“the Peace Agreement”), after the peace talks that took place in Khartoum, Sudan,
               from 24 January to 5 February 2019, within the framework of the African Initiative
               for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR and under the auspices of the African Union
               (AU),
                    Condemning in the strongest terms violations of the Peace Agreement and
               violence perpetrated by armed groups and other militias, throughout the country,
               including in Paoua in May 2019 and in the Vakaga prefecture in September and
               October 2019, incitement to ethnic and religious hatred and violence, violations of

19-19827 (E)
*1919827*

S/RES/2499 (2019)

               international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses, including
               those committed against children and those involving sexual and gender-based
               violence in conflict, as well as violence directed at civilians from specific
               communities, resulting in deaths, injuries and displacements,
                    Stressing the urgent and imperative need to end impunity in the CAR and to
               bring to justice perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law a nd of
               abuses and violations of human rights,
                     Underlining the continued need to support national efforts towards the extension
               of State authority and the reform of the security sector (SSR) in the CAR,
                     Welcoming the work carried out by MINUSCA and the European Union Training
               Mission in the CAR (EUTM-RCA), as well as the support of CAR’s other
               international and regional partners, including France, the Russian Federation, the
               United States and the People’s Republic of China, to train and enhance the capacities
               of the CAR defence and security forces, and encouraging coherence, transparency
               and effective coordination of international support to the CAR,
                      Condemning cross-border criminal activities, such as arms trafficking, illicit
               trade, illegal exploitation, and smuggling of natural resources, including gold,
               diamonds, wildlife poaching and trafficking, the use of mercenaries, as well as the
               illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of small arms and light
               weapons, that threaten the peace and stability of the CAR and stressing the need for
               CAR authorities to finalise and implement, in cooperation with relevant partners, a
               strategy to tackle the illegal exploitation and smuggling of natural resources,
                    Taking note of the upcoming presidential, legislative and local elections in 2020
               and 2021 and underlining the primary responsibility of the CAR authorities to
               organise inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral processes
               in accordance with constitutional timelines, including the full, effective and
               meaningful participation of women, reaffirming the importance of the participation
               of the youth, and encouraging the CAR authorities, with the support of relevant
               partners, to promote the participation of internally displaced pers ons (IDPs) and
               refugees in accordance with the Constitution of the CAR,
                    Recalling its resolutions on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, on
               Children and Armed Conflict, and on Women Peace and Security and calling upon all
               the parties in the CAR to engage with the Special Representative on Children and
               Armed Conflict and the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict,
                     Expressing serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the CAR
               and the consequences of the security situation on humanitarian access, condemning
               in the strongest terms continued attacks against humanitarian workers, and emphasising
               the current humanitarian needs of more than half of the population of the country as
               well as the alarming situation of IDPs and refugees in neighbouring countries,
                     Recognising the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and
               natural disasters, among other factors, on the stability of the Central African region,
               including through drought, desertification, land degradation, food insecurity, and
               energy access, and stressing the need for adequate risk assessment by the United
               Nations relating to these factors and for long-term strategies by governments of the
               Central African region and the United Nations to support stabili sation and build
               resilience,
                     Condemning in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to
               violence against MINUSCA and other international forces by armed groups or other
               perpetrators, paying tribute to the personnel of MINUSCA who sacrificed their lives
               in the service of peace, underlining that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute

2/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

           war crimes, reminding all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian
           law and urging the CAR authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the arrest
           and prosecution of perpetrators,
                 Recalling resolution 2378 (2017) and its request of the Secretary-General to
           ensure that data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, including
           peacekeeping performance data, is used to improve analytics and the evaluation of
           mission operations, based on clear and well identified benchmarks, further recalling
           resolution 2436 (2018) and its request of the Secretary-General to ensure that
           decisions to recognize and incentivize outstanding performance and decisions
           regarding deployment, remediation, training, withholding of financial reimbursement,
           and repatriation of uniformed or dismissal of civilian personnel, are predicated on
           objective performance data, and emphasizing the need to regularly evaluate
           MINUSCA’s performance such that the mission retains the skills and flexibility
           needed to effectively carry out its mandate,
                Taking note of the Report of the Secretary-General of 15 October 2019
           (S/2019/822),
                 Determining that the situation in the CAR continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security in the region,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

           Political process, including the implementation of the Peace Agreement
                1.   Reiterates its support to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and to his
           government in their efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the CAR through
           a comprehensive political process and to adhere to their commitments under the Peace
           Agreement;
                 2.   Urges the CAR authorities and the signatory armed groups to implement
           the Peace Agreement in good faith and without delay in order to meet the aspirations
           expressed by the people of the CAR to peace, security, justice, reconciliation,
           inclusivity and development, and to resolve their disputes peacefully, including
           through the follow-up and dispute resolution mechanisms of the Peace Agreement,
           and further calls on all political stakeholders in the CAR to support the
           implementation of the Peace Agreement;
                 3.    Recalls in this regard the priorities that were presented by the CAR
           authorities during the meeting of the International Support Group on 17 June 2019 in
           Bangui including, inter alia, the cessation of hostilities, raising awareness on the
           Peace Agreement, the operationalisation of the monitoring and implementation
           mechanisms, the launch of the inclusive commission on justice and of the Truth,
           Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation commission, the continuation of the
           disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) process, the
           establishment of the special mixed security units, the adoption of laws on
           decentralisation, the status of former heads of state and on political parties, the
           preparation of 2020/2021 elections, the reinforcement of local reconciliation
           mechanisms, and the provision of basic services to the population;
                 4.    Demands that armed groups cease violations of the Peace Agreement and
           all forms of violence against civilians, United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian
           personnel, destabilising activities, incitement to hatred and violence and restrictions
           on freedom of movement, and lay down their arms, immediately and unconditionally,
           in line with their commitments under the Peace Agreement;
                5.  Recalls that individuals or entities that undermine peace and stability in
           the CAR could be listed for targeted measures pursuant to resolution 2454 (2019);

19-19827                                                                                3/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

                     6.   Calls on neighbouring states, regional organisations and all international
               partners to support the peace process, including the implementation of the Peace
               Agreement, in a coherent and coordinated manner and through strengthened
               partnerships, emphasises the important role of the guarantors and facilitators of the
               Peace Agreement, including the AU, the Economic Community of Central African
               States (ECCAS) and neighbouring states, using their influence to enhance adherence
               by armed groups to their commitments, and further emphasises the importance of
               establishing measures, including sanctions, and mechanisms that could be applied
               against non-compliant parties pursuant to article 35 of the Peace Agreement;
                     7.    Calls on the CAR authorities and the authorities of neighbouring countries
               to cooperate at the regional level to investigate and combat transnational criminal
               networks and armed groups involved in arms trafficking and in the illegal exploitation
               of natural resources, calls for the reactivation of joint bilateral commissions between
               the CAR and neighbouring countries to address cross-border issues, including issues
               related to arms trafficking, and urges the joint bilateral commissions between the
               CAR and Cameroon and the CAR and the Republic of Congo to take agreed next steps
               to secure common borders;
                     8.    Encourages the CAR authorities to cement and broaden national
               ownership of the Peace Agreement, including through sensitisation campaigns,
               recalls in this regard the crucial role of civil society in the peace and reconciliation
               process and the need for the CAR authorities to adequately promote its participation
               in the implementation of the Peace Agreement as well as in the comprehensive
               political process, and further encourages the full, effective and meaningful
               participation of women and youth in this process;
                     9.    Urges the CAR authorities to urgently implement a genuine and inclusive
               process to support reconciliation in the CAR by addressing the root causes of the
               conflict, including the marginalisation of civilians from specific communities, issues
               of national identity, local grievances of all the components of society over the whole
               territory of the CAR, and issues related to transhumance, including through electoral
               processes, national policies on economic development and civil service recruitment,
               and to promote reconciliation initiatives at the regional, national, prefectural and local
               levels;
                     10. Urges the CAR authorities and all national stakeholders to ensure the
               preparation of inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, peaceful, and timely
               presidential, legislative and local elections in 2020 and 2021, in accordance with the
               Constitution of the CAR, including the full, effective and meaningful participation of
               women, encourages the participation of youth, calls on all parties to refrain from
               incitement to violence and to ensure that any outstanding issues regarding the
               electoral framework and related reforms are finalised, further calls upon CAR
               authorities to ensure secure conditions for the conduct of elections and unrestricted
               access to the polls, including through cooperation with MINUSCA, consistent with
               the Mission’s role regarding the protection of civilians, and encourages the
               international community to provide adequate support, including technical and
               financial support, to the upcoming elections;
                     11. Also calls upon the CAR authorities to ensure that national policies and
               legislative frameworks adequately protect the human rights of IDPs, including
               freedom of movement, and support safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable returns,
               local integration or resettlement for IDPs and refugee populations, and provide for
               IDPs and refugees to participate in the elections;
                    12. Urges the CAR authorities to address the presence and activity of armed
               groups in the CAR by implementing a comprehensive strategy that prioritises
               dialogue and the urgent implementation of an inclusive, gender-sensitive and

4/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

           effective DDR as well as repatriation (DDRR) in the case of foreign fighters,
           including children formerly associated with armed forces and groups, as well as
           continuing the implementation of community violence reduction projects, and calls
           on the CAR authorities to implement the interim security measures provided for in
           the Peace Agreement, including the special mixed security units following vetting,
           disarmament, demobilisation and training, to promote trust and confidence between
           signatory parties and as a platform for the deployment of State authority, in a manner
           complementary to DDRR and SSR processes;
                 13. Calls on the CAR authorities to implement the National Security Policy,
           the National Strategy on SSR and the National Defence Plan, including with the
           support of the international community, in order to put in place professional,
           ethnically representative, regionally balanced, taking into account the recruitment of
           women, and appropriately trained and equipped national defence and security forces,
           including through the adoption and implementation of appropriate vetting procedures
           of all defence and security personnel, including human rights vetting, as well as
           measures to absorb disarmed and demobilised elements of armed groups meeting
           rigorous eligibility and vetting criteria;
                 14. Calls on the CAR authorities to ensure that redeployments of defence and
           security forces are sustainable, do not pose a risk to the stabilisation of the country,
           civilians or the political process, and demonstrate that the CAR authorities have
           strengthened oversight, command and control, and appropriate budgetary support and
           to continue to implement a comprehensive national security strategy that is consistent
           with the peace process, including the Peace Agreement;
                  15. Calls on the CAR authorities to take concrete steps, without delay and as
           a matter of priority, to strengthen justice institutions at national and local levels as
           part of the extension of State authority in order to fight impunity and to contribute to
           stabilisation and reconciliation, including through the restoration of the administration
           of the judiciary, criminal justice and penitentiary systems throughout the country, the
           investigations of the Special Criminal Court (SCC), the demilitarisation of the
           prisons, the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms, based on a victim -
           centred approach, including the operationalisation of the Truth, Justice, Reparation
           and Reconciliation Commission and the finalisation of the works of the inclusive
           commission provided for in the Peace Agreement, to ensure accountability for past
           crimes and reparation for victims, and by ensuring access to fair and equal justice for
           all in line with the conclusions of the Bangui Forum held in May 2015;
                 16. Calls on the CAR authorities to continue their efforts to restore the
           effective authority of the State over the whole territory of the CAR, including by
           redeploying State administration and providing basic services in the provinces,
           ensuring the timely payment of salaries to civil servants and defence and security
           forces, and by adopting and implementing the law on decentralisation, with the
           objective of ensuring stable, accountable, inclusive and transparent governance;
                 17. Stresses in this context the valuable role of the Peacebuilding Commission
           (PBC) in bringing strategic advice, providing observations for the Security Council’s
           consideration, and fostering a more coherent, coordinated and integrated approach to
           international peacebuilding efforts, recognises the active role of the Kingdom of
           Morocco, and encourages continued coordination with the PBC and other relevant
           international organisations and institutions in support of CAR’s long term peace
           building needs;

           Economic recovery and development
               18. Encourages the CAR authorities, with the support of the international
           community, in particular with International Financial Institutions leading international

19-19827                                                                                5/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

               efforts, and based on critical peace and State building goals, to continue consolidating
               public financial management and accountability in a manner that allows it to meet the
               expenses related to the functioning of the State, implement early recovery plans, and
               revitalise the economy, and that fosters national ownership;
                     19. Further calls on Member States, international and regional organisations
               to disburse pledges made at the international conference in Brussels on 17 November
               2016 in support of the implementation of the country’s peacebuilding priorities and
               socioeconomic development as outlined in the CAR’s National Strategy for Recovery
               and Peace Consolidation (RCPCA) and within the Framework of Mutual Accountability
               (CEM-RCA);
                     20. Encourages the CAR authorities to accelerate the effective implementation
               of the RCPCA and relevant partners to support the efforts of the CAR authorities
               through the RCPCA Secretariat to lay the foundation of durable peace in the CAR and
               sustainable development of all regions of the country, to boost peace dividends for the
               population and development projects, including critical investments in infrastructure,
               which would address logistical challenges in the country and st rengthen the CAR
               authorities’ and MINUSCA’s mobility and ability to provide security and protect
               civilians, to combat poverty and to help the population of the CAR build sustainable
               livelihoods;

               Human rights, including child protection and sexual violence in conflict
                     21. Reiterates the urgent and imperative need to hold accountable all those
               responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses
               of human rights irrespective of their status or political affiliation, reiterates that some
               of those acts may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute of the International
               Criminal Court (ICC), to which the CAR is a State party, and recalls that committing
               acts of incitement to violence, in particular on an ethnic or religious ba sis, and then
               engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or
               security of the CAR could be a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to resolution
               2454 (2019);
                     22. Recalls the decision made by the Prosecutor of the ICC on 24 September
               2014 to open, following the request of the national authorities, an investigation into
               alleged crimes committed since 2012 and the ongoing cooperation of the CAR
               authorities in this regard;
                     23. Calls on the CAR authorities to follow-up on the recommendations of the
               report of the Mapping Project describing serious violations and abuses of
               international human rights and violations of international humanitarian law
               committed within the territory of CAR between January 2003 and December 2015;
                     24. Urges all parties to armed conflict in the CAR, including armed groups, to
               end all violations and abuses committed against children, in violation of applicable
               international law, including those involving their recruitment and use, rape and sexual
               violence, killing and maiming, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals,
               further calls upon the CAR authorities to respect their obligations under the Optional
               Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children
               in Armed Conflict that they ratified on 21 September 2017, and to swiftly investigate
               alleged violations and abuses in order to fight against impunity of those responsible
               and to ensure that those responsible for such violations and abuses are excluded from
               the security sector, calls for the full and immediate implementation of action plans
               signed by some armed groups in 2018 and 2019 and for other armed groups to sign
               such action plans, reiterates its demands that all parties protect and consider as
               victims those children who have been released or otherwise separated from armed
               forces and armed groups, in particular by establishing standard operating procedures

6/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

                 for the rapid handover of these children to relevant civilian child protection actors,
                 and emphasises the need to pay particular attention to the protection, release and
                 reintegration of all children associated with armed forces and armed groups;
                      25. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict in the CAR, including armed
                 groups, to end sexual and gender-based violence, further calls upon the CAR
                 authorities to swiftly investigate alleged abuses in order to fight against impunity of
                 those responsible for such acts, and to develop a structured and compreh ensive
                 framework to address sexual violence in conflict to ensure that those resp onsible for
                 such crimes are excluded from the security sector and prosecuted, and to facilitate
                 immediate access for all survivors of sexual violence to available services, calls on
                 the CAR authorities and international partners to sustain adequate support to the
                 Mixed Unit for Rapid Intervention and Suppression of Sexual Violence against
                 Women and Children (UMIRR), and further calls for the swift prosecution of alleged
                 perpetrators;

                 MINUSCA’s mandate
                     26. Expresses its strong support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mankeur Ndiaye;
                      27.   Decides to extend the mandate of MINUSCA until 15 November 2020;
                       28. Decides that MINUSCA shall continue to comprise up to 11,650 military
                 personnel, including 480 Military Observers and Military Staff Officers, and 2,080
                 police personnel, including 400 Individual Police Officers and 1,680 formed police
                 unit personnel, as well as 108 corrections officers and recalls its intention to keep this
                 number under continuous review;
                       29. Decides that MINUSCA’s strategic objective is to support the creation of
                 the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to the sustainable
                 reduction of the presence of, and threat posed by, armed groups through a
                 comprehensive approach and proactive and robust posture without prejudice to the
                 basic principles of peacekeeping;
                       30. Recalls that MINUSCA’s mandate should be implemented based on a
                 prioritisation of tasks established in paragraphs 32 to 34 of this resolution, and, when
                 relevant, in a sequenced manner, and further requests the Secretary-General to reflect
                 this prioritisation in the deployment of the Mission and to align budgetary resources
                 according to the prioritisation of mandate tasks as set out in this resolution, while
                 ensuring appropriate resources for the implementation of the mandate;
                      31. Authorises MINUSCA to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate
                 within its capabilities and areas of deployment;

                 Priority tasks
                       32. Decides that the mandate of MINUSCA shall include the following
                 priority tasks:

           (a)   Protection of civilians
                      (i) To protect, in line with S/PRST/2018/18 of 21 September 2018, without
                 prejudice to the primary responsibility of the CAR authorities and the basic principles
                 of peacekeeping, the civilian population under threat of physical violence;
                      (ii) In support of the CAR authorities, to take active steps to anticipate, deter
                 and effectively respond to serious and credible threats to the civilian population
                 through a comprehensive and integrated approach and, in this regard:

19-19827                                                                                7/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

                    – to ensure effective and dynamic protection of civilians under threat of physical
                      violence through a comprehensive and integrated approach, including by
                      anticipating, deterring, and stopping all armed groups, signatories of the Peace
                      Agreement and non-signatories, and local militias from inflicting violence on
                      the populations, in consultation with local communities, and by supporting and
                      undertaking local mediation efforts to prevent escalation of violence, in line
                      with the basic principles of peacekeeping, including in cases of violations of the
                      Peace Agreement, and outbreaks of violence between ethnic or religious rival
                      groups;
                    – to enhance its interaction with civilians, to strengthen its early warning
                      mechanism, to increase its efforts to monitor and document violations of
                      international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights a nd
                      to strengthen local community engagement and empowerment;
                    – to maintain a proactive deployment and a mobile, flexible and robust posture,
                      including by conducting active patrolling, in particular in high risk areas;
                    – to mitigate the risk to civilians before, during and after any military or police
                      operation, including by tracking, preventing, minimising, and addressing
                      civilian harm resulting from the Mission’s operations, including in support of
                      national security forces;
                    – to work with the CAR authorities to identify and report threats to and attacks
                      against civilians and implement existing prevention and response plans and
                      strengthen civil-military cooperation, including joint planning;
                     (iii) To provide specific protection for women and children affected by armed
               conflict, including through the deployment of Child Protection Advisers, Women
               Protection Advisers and Gender Advisers and by adopting a gender-sensitive,
               survivor-centred approach in this regard, especially to provide the best assistance to
               survivors of sexual violence;
                   (iv) To fully implement its protection of civilians strategy in coordination with
               CAR authorities, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), humanitarian and
               human right organisations, and other relevant partners;

         (b)   Good offices and support to the peace process, including the implementation of
               the Peace Agreement, elections, national reconciliation, social cohesion and
               transitional justice at national and local levels
                     (i) To continue its political role in the peace process, including through
               political, technical and operational support to the implementation of the Peace
               Agreement and to take active steps to support the CAR authorities in the creation of
               the conditions conducive to the full implementation of the Peace Agreement;
                     (ii) To ensure that the Mission’s political and security strategies promote a
               coherent peace process, particularly in support of the Peace Agreement, that connects
               local and national peace efforts with the ongoing efforts to advance DDRR pr ocess,
               the SSR process, the fight against impunity, and the restoration of State authorit y;
                    (iii) To assist the CAR authorities’ efforts, at national and local levels, for an
               increased participation of political parties, civil society, women, survivors o f sexual
               violence, youth, faith-based organisations, and where and when possible, IDPs and
               refugees to the peace process, including the Peace Agreement;
                     (iv) To provide good offices and technical expertise in support of efforts to
               address the root causes of conflict, including those referred to in paragraph 9 of this
               resolution, in particular to advance national reconciliation and local conflict
               resolution, working with relevant regional and local bodies and religious leaders,

8/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

                 while ensuring the full, effective and meaningful participation of women, including
                 survivors of sexual violence, in line with the CAR action plan on Women, Peace and
                 Security, including through the support to local dialogue and community engagement;
                       (v) To support efforts of the CAR authorities to address transitional justice as
                 part of the peace and reconciliation process, and marginalisation and local grievances,
                 including through dialogue with the armed groups, civil society leaders including
                 women and youth representatives, including survivors of sexual violence, and by
                 assisting national, prefectoral and local authorities to foster confidence among
                 communities;
                       (vi) To provide technical expertise to the CAR authorities in its engagement
                 with neighbouring countries, the ECCAS, and the AU, in consultation and
                 coordination with the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA)
                 to resolve issues of common and bilateral interest and to promote their continued and
                 full support for the Peace Agreement;
                       (vii) To make more proactive use of strategic communications to support its
                 protection of civilians’ strategy, in coordination with the CAR authorities, to help the
                 local population better understand the mandate of the Mission, its activities, the Peace
                 Agreement and the electoral process, and to build trust with the CAR citizens, parties
                 to the conflict, regional and other international actors and partners on the ground;
                      (viii) To continue to coordinate international support and assistance to the peace
                 process, including through the International Support Group, as appropriate;

           (c)   2020/2021 elections
                       To assist the CAR authorities in the preparation and delivery of peaceful
                 presidential, legislative and local elections of 2020/2021 by providing good offices,
                 security, operational, logistical and, as appropriate, technical support, in particular to
                 facilitate access to remote areas, and by coordinating international electoral
                 assistance;

           (d)   Facilitate the creation of a secure environment for the immediate, full, safe and
                 unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance
                       To improve coordination with all humanitarian actors, including United Nations
                 agencies, and to facilitate the creation of a secure environment for the immediate,
                 full, safe and unhindered, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance, in
                 accordance with United Nations guiding humanitarian principles and relevant
                 provisions of international law, and for the voluntary safe, dignified and sustainable
                 return or local integration or resettlement of internally displaced persons or refugees
                 in close coordination with humanitarian actors;

           (e)   Protection of the United Nations
                      To protect the United Nations personnel, installations, equipment and goods and
                 ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated
                 personnel;

                 Other tasks
                     33. Further authorises MINUSCA to pursue the following tasks of its
                 mandate, bearing in mind that these tasks as well as those in paragraph 32 above are
                 mutually reinforcing:

19-19827                                                                                9/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

         (a)   Support for the extension of State authority, the deployment of security forces,
               and the preservation of territorial integrity
                     (i) To continue to support the CAR authorities in implementing its strategy
               for the extension of State authority, including through the implementation of relevant
               provisions of the Peace Agreement, for the establishment of interim security and
               administrative arrangements acceptable to the population and under CAR authorities ’
               oversight, and through a prioritised division of labour with the UNC T and relevant
               partners;
                     (ii) To support a gradual handover of security of key officials, and static guard
               duties of national institutions, to the CAR security forces, in coordination with the
               CAR authorities, based on the risks on the ground and taking into account the
               electoral context;
                     (iii) To promote and support the rapid extension of State authority over the
               entire territory of the CAR, including by supporting the deployment of vetted and
               trained national police and gendarmerie in priority areas, including through
               co-location, advising, mentoring and monitoring, in coordination with other pa rtners,
               as part of the deployment of the territorial administration and other rule of law
               authorities;
                     (iv) To provide enhanced planning and technical assistance and limited
               logistical support for the progressive redeployment of a limited number of Centra l
               African Armed Forces (FACA) units trained or certified by EUTM-RCA, and a
               limited number of vetted or trained Internal Security Forces (ISF), engaged in join t
               operations with MINUSCA that include joint planning and tactical cooperation, in
               order to support the implementation of MINUSCA’s current mandated tasks,
               including to protect civilians, and to support national authorities in the restoration and
               maintenance of public safety and the rule of law, in accordance with MINUSCA ’s
               mandate and the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP),
               without exacerbating the risks to the stabilisation of the country, civilians, the
               political process, to UN peacekeepers, or the impartiality of the Mission, to perform
               this task by reallocating approved resources, and to review this limited logistical
               support in one year to ensure its compliance with the benchmarks outlined in the
               Secretary-General’s letter to the President of the Security Council of 15 May 2018
               (S/2018/463);

         (b)   Security Sector Reform (SSR)
                     (i) To provide strategic and technical advice to the CAR authorities to
               implement the National Strategy on SSR and the National Defence Plan, in close
               coordination with EUTM-RCA and CAR’s other international partners, including
               France, the Russian Federation, the United States and the People’s Republic of China,
               and with the aim of ensuring coherence of the SSR process, including through a clear
               delineation of responsibilities between the FACA, the ISF and other uniformed
               entities, as well as the democratic control of both defence and internal security forces;
                     (ii) To continue to support the CAR authorities in developing an approach to
               the vetting of defence and security elements which includes human rights vetting, in
               particular to promote accountability for violations of international and domestic law
               and in the context of any integration of demobilised armed groups elements into
               security sector institutions;
                    (iii) To take a leading role in supporting the CAR authorities in enhancing the
               capacities of the ISF, particularly command and control structures and oversight
               mechanisms and to coordinate the provision of technical assistance and training

10/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

                 between the international partners in the CAR, in particular with EUTM-RCA, in
                 order to ensure a clear distribution of tasks in the field of SSR;
                       (iv) To continue to support the CAR authorities in the training of police and
                 gendarmerie and in the selection, recruitment, and vetting of police and gendarmerie
                 elements, with the support of donors and the UNCT, taking into account the need to
                 recruit women at all levels, and in full compliance with the United Nations HRDDP;

           (c)   Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration (DDR) and Repatriation (DDRR)
                       (i) To support the CAR authorities in implementing an inclusive and
                 progressive programme for the DDR and, in case of foreign elements, repatriation, of
                 members of armed groups, based on the Principles of DDRR and Integration into the
                 Uniformed Corps, signed at the Bangui Forum in May 2015, while paying specific
                 attention to the needs of children associated with armed forces and groups, the need
                 to ensure the separation of children from these forces and groups, and the need to
                 prevent re-recruitment, and including gender-sensitive programmes;
                       (ii) To support the CAR authorities and relevant civil society organisations in
                 developing and implementing CVR programmes, including gender-sensitive
                 programmes, for members of armed groups including those not eligible for
                 participation in the national DDRR programme, in cooperation with development
                 partners and together with communities of return in line with the priorities highlighted
                 in the RCPCA;
                       (iii) To provide technical assistance to the CAR authorities in implementing a
                 national plan for the integration of eligible demobilised members of armed groups
                 into the security and defence forces, in line with the broader SSR process, the need
                 to put in place professional, ethnically representative and regionally balanced national
                 security and defence, and to provide technical advice to the CAR authorities in
                 implementing the interim security arrangements provided for in the Peace Agreement,
                 such as the special mixed security units following vetting, disarmament,
                 demobilisation and training;
                       (iv) To coordinate the support provided by multilateral and bilateral partners,
                 including the World Bank, to the efforts of the CAR authorities on DDRR programs
                 to reintegrate eligible and vetted members of the armed groups into peac eful civilian
                 life and to help ensure that these efforts will lead to sustainable socioeconomic
                 reintegration;

           (d)   Promotion and protection of human rights
                      (i) To monitor, help investigate, and timely report to the Security Council and
                 publicly on violations of international humanitarian law and on violations and abuses
                 of human rights committed throughout the CAR;
                      (ii) To monitor, help investigate and ensure reporting on violations and abuses
                 committed against children and women, including rape and other forms of sexual
                 violence in armed conflict, in connection with the UMIRR;
                       (iii) To assist the CAR authorities in their efforts to protect and promote human
                 rights and prevent violations and abuses and to strengthen the capacity of civil society
                 organisations;

           (e)   Support for national and international justice, the fight against impunity, and
                 the rule of law
                     (i) To help reinforce the independence of the judiciary, build the capacities,
                 and enhance the effectiveness of the national judicial system as well as the

19-19827                                                                                11/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

               effectiveness and the accountability of the penitentiary system including through the
               provision of technical assistance to the CAR authorities to identify, investigate and
               prosecute those responsible for crimes involving violations of international
               humanitarian law and of violations and abuses of human rights committed throughout
               the CAR;
                    (ii) To help build the capacities of the national human rights institution
               coordinating with the Independent Expert on human rights in the CAR as appropriate;
                    Urgent temporary measures:
                     (iii) To urgently and actively adopt, within the limits of its capacities and areas
               of deployment, at the formal request of the CAR authorities and in areas where
               national security forces are not present or operational, urgent temporary measures on
               an exceptional basis, without creating a precedent and without prejudice to the agreed
               principles of peacekeeping operations, which are limited in scope, time-bound and
               consistent with the objectives set out in paragraphs 32 and 33 (e), to arrest and detain
               in order to maintain basic law and order and fight impunity and to pay particular
               attention in this regard to those engaging in or providing support for acts that
               undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR;
                    Special Criminal Court (SCC):
                     (iv) To provide technical assistance, in partnership with other international
               partners and the UNCT, and capacity building for the CAR authorities, to facilitate
               the operationalisation and the functioning of the SCC, in particular in the areas of
               investigations, arrests, detention, criminal and forensic analysis, evidence collection
               and storage, recruitment and selection of personnel, court management, prosecution
               strategy and case development and the establishment of a legal aid syste m, as
               appropriate, as well as to provide security for magistrates, including at the premises
               and proceedings of the SCC, and take measures for the protection of victims and
               witnesses, in line with the CAR’s international humanitarian law and international
               human rights obligations;
                    (v) To assist in the coordination and mobilisation of increased bilateral and
               multilateral support to the functioning of the SCC;
                    Rule of law:
                     (vi) To provide support and to coordinate international assistance to build the
               capacities and enhance the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, within the
               framework of the United Nations global focal point on rule of law, as well as th e
               effectiveness and the accountability of police and penitentiary system with the
               support of the UNCT;
                     (vii) Without prejudice to the primary responsibility of the CAR authorities, to
               support the restoration and maintenance of public safety and the rule of law, including
               through apprehending and handing over to the CAR authorities, consistent with
               international law, those in the country responsible for crimes involving serious human
               rights violations and abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law,
               including sexual violence in conflict, so that they can be brought to justice, and
               through cooperation with states of the region as well as the ICC in cases of crimes
               falling within its jurisdiction following the decision made by the Prosecuto r of the
               ICC on 24 September 2014 to open, following the request of national authorities, an
               investigation into alleged crimes committed since 2012;

12/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

           Additional tasks
                34.   Further authorises MINUSCA to carry out the following additional tasks:
                (a) To assist the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 57 of resolution
           2127 (2013) and the Panel of Experts established by the same resolution;
                 (b) To monitor the implementation of the measures renewed and modified by
           paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 2488 (2019), in cooperation with the Panel of Experts
           established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013), including by inspecting, as it deems
           necessary and when appropriate without notice, all arms and related materiel
           regardless of location, and advise the CAR authorities on efforts to keep armed groups
           from exploiting natural resources;
                 (c) To support the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2127
           (2013) in collecting information about acts of incitement to violence, in particular on
           an ethnic or religious basis, that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR
           in accordance with paragraph 32 (g) of resolution 2399 (2018) extended by paragraph 3
           of resolution 2454 (2019);
                 (d) To ensure, with all relevant United Nations bodies, unhindered access and
           safety for the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013), in
           particular to persons, documents and sites within their control in order for the Panel
           to execute its mandate;
                 (e) To provide transport for relevant CAR authorities as appropriate and on a
           case by case basis and when the situation allows, as a means to promote and support
           the extension of the State authority over the entire territory;

           Mission effectiveness
                 35. Requests the Secretary-General to deploy and allocate personnel and
           expertise within MINUSCA to reflect the priorities identified by paragraph 32 to
           paragraph 34 of this resolution, and to continuously adjust this deployment according
           to the progresses made in the implementation of this mandate;
                 36. Reiterates its concern at the continuing lack of key capabilities for
           MINUSCA and the need to fill gaps, in particular in the field of military helicopters,
           as well as the importance of current and future troop and police contributing countries
           (T/PCCs) providing troops and police with adequate capabilities, equipment and
           predeployment training in order to enhance the capacity of MINUSCA to operate
           effectively;
                 37. Recognizes that the effective implementation of peacekeeping mandates is
           the responsibility of all stakeholders and is contingent upon several critical factors,
           including well-defined, realistic, and achievable mandates, political will, leadership,
           performance and accountability at all levels, adequate resources, policy, planning, and
           operational guidelines, and training and equipment;
                 38. Welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to
           standardize a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, recalls its requests in
           resolution 2378 (2017) and resolution 2436 (2018) that the Secretary-General ensure
           that performance data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations is used
           to improve mission operations, including decisions such as those regarding
           deployment, remediation, repatriation and incentives, and reaffirms its support for the
           development of a comprehensive and integrated performance policy framework that
           identifies clear standards of performance for evaluating all United Nations civilian
           and uniformed personnel working in and supporting peacekeeping operations that
           facilitates effective and full implementation of mandates, and includes comprehensive

19-19827                                                                                13/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

               and objective methodologies based on clear and well-defined benchmarks to ensure
               accountability for underperformance and incentives and recognition for outstanding
               performance, and calls on the United Nations to apply this framework to MINUSCA
               as described in resolution 2436 (2018), in particular by investigating and taking
               immediate action following significant performance failures to implement the
               protection of civilians strategy, to include the rotation, repatriation, replacement or
               dismissal of the under-performing MINUSCA uniformed or civilian personnel,
               including mission leadership and mission support personnel, consistent with
               resolution 2436 (2018); notes the efforts of the Secretary-General to develop a
               comprehensive performance assessment system and requests the Secretary-General
               and the troop and police contributing countries to seek to increase the number of
               women in MINUSCA, as well as to ensure the full, effective and meaningful
               participation of women in all aspects of operations;
                    39. Commends the commitment of the T/PCCs in implementing the Mission’s
               mandate in a challenging environment, and in this connection highlights that
               undeclared national caveats, lack of effective command and control, refusal to obey
               orders, failure to respond to attacks on civilians, and inadequate equipment may
               adversely affect the shared responsibility for effective mandate implementation and
               should not be accepted by the Secretary-General;
                    40. Encourages MINUSCA to continue implementing the recommendations
               of the independent investigation led by Brigadier General Amoussou to improve
               MINUSCA’s response to protect civilians;
                     41. Requests the Secretary-General to implement a zero-tolerance policy on
               serious misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, fraud,
               corruption, trafficking in natural resources or wildlife, including by making full use
               of the existing authority of the SRSG to ensure accountability of the Mission’s staff
               and through effective mission support arrangement, recalls its Presidential Statement
               S/PRST/2015/22 and its resolution 2272 (2016), further requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all personnel in
               MINUSCA with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and
               abuse and to keep the Council fully informed about the Mission’s progress in this
               regard, including by reporting on the start, agreed deadlines, and outcomes of 2272
               reviews, and urges T/PCCs to take appropriate preventative action, including vetting
               of all personnel, predeployment and in-mission awareness training, timely
               investigations of allegations, as appropriate, and to take appropriate steps to hold
               perpetrators accountable and repatriate units when there is credible evidence of
               widespread or systematic sexual exploitation and abuse by those units;
                     42. Requests MINUSCA to consider the environmental impacts of its
               operations when fulfilling its mandated tasks and, in this context, to manage them as
               appropriate and in accordance with applicable and relevant General Assembly
               resolutions and United Nations rules and regulations;

               Child protection
                     43. Requests MINUSCA to take fully into account child protection as a crosscutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the CAR authorities in ensuring that
               the protection of children’s rights is taken into account, inter alia, in the DDRR and
               SRR processes in order to end and prevent violations and abuses against children;

               Gender
                    44. Requests MINUSCA to take fully into account gender mainstreaming as a
               cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the CAR authorities in
               ensuring the full, effective and meaningful participation, involvement and

14/16                                                                                19-19827

                                                                                S/RES/2499 (2019)

           representation of women, including survivors of sexual violence, in all spheres and at
           all levels, including in the political and reconciliation process and the implementation
           of the Peace Agreement, stabilization activities, transitional justice, the work of the
           SCC and of the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission, SSR and
           DDRR processes, the preparation and holding of the 2020/2021 elections through,
           inter alia, the provision of gender advisers;

           Weapon and ammunition management
                 45. Requests MINUSCA to actively seize, record, dispose of, and destroy, as
           appropriate, weapons and ammunitions of disarmed combatants and armed groups
           who refuse or fail to lay down their arms and present an imminent threat to civilians
           or the stability of the State, in keeping with its efforts to seize and collect arms and
           any related material the supply, sale or transfer of which violate the measures imposed
           by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 2488 (2019);
                  46. Calls upon the CAR authorities in coordination with MINUSCA, including
           UNMAS, and international partners to address the illicit transfer, destabilising
           accumulation, and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the CAR, and to ensure
           the safe and effective management, storage and security of stockpiles of small arms
           and light weapons and the collection and/or destruction of surplus, seized, unmarked,
           or illicitly held weapons and ammunition, and further requests MINUSCA to provide
           technical assistance to the CAR authorities in the operationalisation of the
           “Commission nationale de lutte contre la prolifération des armes légères et de pet it
           calibre”;

           MINUSCA Freedom of movement
                 47. Urges all parties in the CAR to cooperate fully with the deployment and
           activities of MINUSCA, in particular by ensuring its safety, security and freedom of
           movement with unhindered and immediate access throughout the territory of the CAR
           to enable MINUSCA to carry out fully its mandate in a complex environment;
                 48. Calls upon Member States, especially those in the region, to ensure the
           free, unhindered and expeditious movement to and from the CAR of all personnel, as
           well as equipment, provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles and spare
           parts, which are for the exclusive and official use of MINUSCA;

           Humanitarian access and humanitarian appeal
                 49. Demands that all parties allow and facilitate the full, safe, immediate and
           unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations
           in need, in particular to internally displaced persons, throughout the territory of the
           CAR, in accordance with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian
           assistance and relevant provisions of international law;
                 50. Further demands that all parties ensure respect and protection of all
           medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties,
           their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical
           facilities;
                 51. Calls on Member States and international and regional organisations to
           respond swiftly to the humanitarian needs identified in the humanitarian response
           plan through increased contributions and to ensure that all pledges are honoured in
           full and in a timely manner;

19-19827                                                                                15/16

S/RES/2499 (2019)

               Support to MINUSCA
                     52. Authorises French armed forces, within the provisions of their existing
               bilateral agreement with the CAR and the limits of their capacities and areas of
               deployment, at the request of the Secretary-General, to use all the means to provide
               operational support to elements of MINUSCA when under serious threat, from the
               date of adoption of this resolution, and requests France to ensure reporting to the
               Council on the implementation of this mandate and to coordinate its reporting with
               that of the Secretary-General referred to in paragraph 54 of this resolution;

               Reports by the Secretary-General
                     53. Requests the Secretary-General to review and report on a regular basis the
               conditions required for the transition, drawdown and withdrawal of the United
               Nations operation, in a manner which does not prejudice overall efforts to support
               long term objectives for peace and stability;
                    54. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on 15 February
               2020, 15 June 2020 and 10 October 2020, including on:
                    – the situation in the CAR, including the security situation, the priority political
                      elements as defined above regarding the political process, including as set out
                      in paragraph 13 of this resolution, and the implementation of the Peace
                      Agreement, progress on mechanisms and capacity to advance governance and
                      fiscal management, and relevant information on the progress, promotion and
                      protection of human rights and international humanitarian law and on the
                      protection of civilians;
                    – the status of the implementation of MINUSCA’s mandated tasks, including
                      support to non-United Nations security forces in strict compliance with the
                      HRDDP, including by providing appropriate financial information;
                    – force and police generation and deployment of all MINUSCA’s constituent
                      elements, and information on the progress in the implementation of the measures
                      taken to improve MINUSCA’s performance, including measures to ensure force
                      effectiveness as outlined in paragraphs 35 to 42;
                     55.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

16/16                                                                                19-19827

Security Council resolution 2499 (2019) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until 15 Nov. 2020]

Central African Republic|China|Cameroon|Congo|France|Morocco|Russian Federation|Sudan

Eastern Asia|Eastern Europe|Northern Africa|Sub-Saharan Africa|Western Europe

UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic|Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (2019)|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|PEACE AGREEMENTS|INTERNAL SECURITY|CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

S/ X The situation in the Central African Republic.
S/74 [227] UN MULTIDIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
S/74 [181] CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SITUATION


               United Nations                                                                      S/RES/2500 (2019)
               Security Council                                                    Distr.: General
                                                                                4 December 2019

               Resolution 2500 (2019)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8678th meeting, on
               4 December 2019

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia,
               especially resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008), 1838 (2008), 1844 (2008), 1846
               (2008), 1851 (2008), 1897 (2009), 1918 (2010), 1950 (2010), 1976 (2011), 2015
               (2011), 2020 (2011), 2077 (2012), 2125 (2013), 2184 (2014), 2246 (2015), 2316
               (2016), 2383 (2017) and 2442 (2018) as well as the Statements of its President
               (S/PRST/2010/16) of 25 August 2010 and (S/PRST/2012/24) of 19 November 2012,
                     Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/867), as requested by
               resolution 2442 (2018), on the implementation of that resolution and on the situation
               with respect to piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia,
                    Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
               independence, and unity of Somalia, including Somalia’s sovereign rights in
               accordance with international law, with respect to offshore natural resources,
               including fisheries,
                      Noting that joint counter-piracy efforts have resulted in a steady decline in pirate
               attacks as well as in hijackings since 2011, with no successful ship hijackings for
               ransom reported off the coast of Somalia since March 2017 however, recognizing the
               ongoing threat that resurgent piracy and armed robbery at sea poses, noting the letter
               of 22 November 2019 from the Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission
               of Somalia to the United Nations requesting international assistance to counter piracy
               off its coast, and recalling reports of the Secretary General and communiqués of the
               Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), which continue to
               illustrate that piracy off the coast of Somalia has been repressed but not eradicated,
               and commending countries and organizations that have deployed naval counter-piracy
               missions in the region to suppress piracy and protect ships transiting through the
               waters off the coast of Somalia and the region,
                     Reaffirming that international law, as reflected in the United Natio ns
               Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (“The Convention”), sets out
               the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried
               out, including countering piracy and armed robbery at sea,
                     Recognizing the need and commending the efforts of States, including in
               particular States in the region, to investigate and prosecute not only suspects captured

19-20888 (E)
*1920888*

S/RES/2500 (2019)

               at sea, but also anyone who incites or intentionally facilitates piracy operations,
               including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy including those who
               plan, organize, facilitate or illicitly finance or profit from such attacks, and reiterating
               its concern over persons suspected of piracy having been released without facing
               justice, or released prematurely, reaffirming that the failure to prosecute persons
               responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia
               undermines anti-piracy efforts,
                     Welcoming the work of the CGPCS and the Law Enforcement Task Force
               (LETF) to facilitate the prosecution of suspected pirates and facilitators, and
               international efforts to coordinate the work of investigators and prosecutors, inter alia,
               through the LETF and collect and share information to disrupt the pirate enterprise,
               as exemplified by INTERPOL’s Global Database on Maritime Piracy, further
               commending the Padang Communique and Maritime Cooperation Declaration
               adopted by the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the operationalization of
               the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC) in Madagascar and
               emphasizing the need for States and international organizations to further enhance
               international efforts in this regard,
                     Welcoming efforts by the CGPCS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and
               Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the
               Maritime Security Coordination Committee (MSCC), the financing mechanism
               provided by the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Combating Piracy off the
               Coast of Somalia (the Trust Fund), and donors to strengthen regional judici al and law
               enforcement capacity to investigate, arrest, and prosecute suspected pirates as well as
               those associated with facilitating piracy and to incarcerate those convicted consistent
               with applicable international human rights law, noting with appreciation the
               assistance and capacity-building provided by UNODC Global Maritime Crime
               Programme, the Trust Fund, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the
               funded Djibouti Code of Conduct, and the European Union Capacity Building
               Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), and recognizing the need for all engaged
               international and regional organizations to coordinate and cooperate fully,
                     Commending the efforts of the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR)
               Operation ATALANTA and EUCAP Somalia, Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined
               Task Force 151 (CMF), the counter piracy activities of the African Union onshore in
               Somalia and other States acting in a national capacity in cooperation with Somali
               authorities to suppress piracy and to protect ships transiting through th e waters off
               the coast of Somalia, and welcoming the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction
               Initiative (SHADE), and the efforts of individual countries, including China, India,
               Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation, which have deployed naval
               counter-piracy missions in the region,
                     Commending the 31 States and some 26 Non-State organizations that met at the
               22nd Plenary Session of the CGPCS in June 2019 and agreed to a revised orientation
               and strategic review of the CGPCS, praised the increasing involvement of the States
               of the region with the establishment of an architecture that includes agreements to
               establish dedicated regional centres in Madagascar and Seychelles, called upon
               deployers to maintain their presence off the coast of Somalia, c ommended a
               reinforced role of the Virtual Legal Forum, of the LETF and the MSCC, called for
               increased participation of the shipping industry, and endorsed the offer of the
               Republic of Kenya to take over the Chair of the CGPCS in 2020,
                    Underlining the importance of cooperation between the Federal Government of
               Somalia and the Federal Member States in the development of a coast guard in
               Somalia, noting with appreciation the efforts made by the IMO and the shipping
               industry to develop and update guidance, best management practices, and

2/7                                                                                19-20888

                                                                                S/RES/2500 (2019)

           recommendations to assist ships to prevent and suppress piracy attacks off the coast
           of Somalia, and welcoming the approval of the fifth version of the Best Management
           Practices to deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden,
           Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea (BMP5) by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee,
                Reaffirming international condemnation of acts of kidnapping and hostagetaking, including offences contained within the International Convention against the
           Taking of Hostages, and expressing serious concern at the inhumane conditions
           hostages face in captivity, calling for the immediate release of all remaining hostages,
           and noting the importance of cooperation between Member States on the issue of
           hostage-taking and the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages,
                 Welcoming the readiness of the Federal Government of Somalia and Feder al
           Member States to cooperate with each other and with States who have prosecuted
           suspected pirates with a view to enabling convicted pirates to be repatriated back to
           Somalia under suitable prisoner transfer arrangements, consistent with applicable
           international law, including international human rights law, to serve the full terms of
           their sentences, but expresses serious concern regarding the premature release by
           “Somaliland” of 19 convicted prisoners returned from Seychelles to Somalia and
           reiterates that sentences served must be those passed by the courts of the prosecuting
           states and that any proposal to vary the sentences must be in conformity with the 2011
           Transfer Agreement with the Seychelles, consistent with applicable international law,
           including international human rights law,
                 Expressing serious concern over reports of illegal, unreported and unregulated
           fishing (IUU) in Somalia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), recognizing that IUU
           fishing can contribute to destabilization among coastal communi ties, and noting the
           complex relationship between IUU fishing and piracy, welcoming Somalia’s
           accession to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ’s Agreement on Port State
           Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
           Fishing, and the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia towards the
           development of a legal regime for the distribution and enforcement of fishing licences
                 Remaining concerned that three Iranian seafarers from the FV Siraj remain as
           hostages inside Somalia in appalling conditions, and welcoming the work of
           International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the Maritime
           Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP), and the CGPCS Piracy
           Survivors Family Fund (PSFF) in providing support to victims of piracy and their
           families, and recognizing the need to continue supporting these initiatives and
           contributions to funds,
                 Emphasizing that peace and stability within Somalia, the strengthening of State
           institutions, economic and social development, and respect for human rights and the
           rule of law are necessary to create the conditions for a durable eradication of piracy
           and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, and further emphasizing that
           Somalia’s long-term security rests with the effective development by Somali
           authorities of the Somali Coast Guard and Maritime Police Units, Somali National
           Army, and Somali Police Force,
                 Determining that the incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast
           of Somalia, as well as the activity of pirate groups in Somalia, are an important factor
           exacerbating the situation in Somalia, which continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security in the region,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
                1.    Reiterates that it condemns and deplores all acts of piracy and armed
           robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia;

19-20888                                                                                3/7

S/RES/2500 (2019)

                     2.     While noting improvements in Somalia, recognizes that piracy exacerbates
               instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cas h that fuels additional
               crime, corruption, and terrorism;
                     3.   Stresses the need for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress
               piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community in
               collaboration with Somali authorities and other r elevant actors, and encourages
               Member States to continue to cooperate with Somali authorities in the fight against
               piracy and armed robbery at sea, without impeding the exercise of high seas freedoms
               or other navigational rights and freedoms by ships of an y State, consistent with
               international law, as reflected in UNCLOS;
                    4.     Underlines the primary responsibility of the Somali authorities in the fight
               against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, welcomes the recent
               launch of the Department of Somali Maritime Administration, and encourages the
               FGS to hold a National Maritime Coordination Committee (NMCC) meeting;
                     5.    Recognizes the need to continue investigating and prosecuting those who
               plan, organize, or illicitly finance or profit fro m pirate attacks off the coast of
               Somalia, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy, and to
               develop the capacity of Somali authorities to investigate and prosecute such persons,
               and the capacity of Somalia’s Financial Intelligence Unit to identify illicit financial
               activity and support the prosecution of pirate financiers, and urges States, working in
               conjunction with relevant international organizations, to adopt legislation to facilitate
               prosecution of suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia;
                    6.    Calls upon the Somali authorities to interdict, and upon interdiction 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;
                     7.   Calls upon the Somali authorities to make all efforts to bring to justice
               those who are using Somali territory to plan, facilitate, or undertake criminal acts of
               piracy and armed robbery at sea, and calls upon Member States to assist Somalia, at
               the request of Somali authorities and with notification to the Secretary -General, to
               strengthen maritime capacity in Somalia, including regional authorities and, stresses
               that any measures undertaken pursuant to this paragraph shall be consistent with
               applicable international law, in particular international human rights law;
                    8.     Encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to accede to the United
               Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and deve lop a
               corresponding legal architecture as part of its efforts to target money laundering and
               financial support structures on which piracy networks survive;
                     9.   Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers held
               hostage by Somali pirates, and further calls upon the Somali authorities and all
               relevant stakeholders to redouble their efforts to secure their safe and immediate
               release;
                    10. Calls upon States to cooperate also, as appropriate, on the issue of hostage
               taking, and the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages;
                     11. Recognizes the need for States, international and regional organizations,
               and other appropriate partners to exchange evidence and information for anti -piracy
               law enforcement purposes with a view to ensuring effective arrest, prosecution of
               suspected, and imprisonment of convicted pirates and key figures of criminal
               networks involved in piracy who plan, organize, facilitate, or illicitly finance and
               profit from piracy operations, and keeps under review the po ssibility of applying
               targeted sanctions against individuals or entities that plan, organize, facilitate, or

4/7                                                                                19-20888

                                                                                S/RES/2500 (2019)

           illicitly finance or profit from piracy operations if they meet the listing criteria set out
           in paragraph 43 of resolution 2093 (2013), and calls upon all States to cooperate fully
           with the Panel of Experts on Somalia, including on information-sharing regarding
           possible violations of the arms embargo or charcoal ban;
                 12. Renews its call upon States and regional organizations that are able to do
           so to take part in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of
           Somalia, in particular, consistent with this resolution and international law, by
           deploying naval vessels, arms, and military aircraft, by providing basing and
           logistical support for counter-piracy forces, and by seizing and disposing of boats,
           vessels, arms, and other related equipment used in the commission of piracy and
           armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, or for which there are reasonable
           grounds for suspecting such use;
                 13. Highlights the importance of coordination among States and international
           organizations in order to deter acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast
           of Somalia, commends the work of the CGPCS to facilitate such coordination in
           cooperation with the IMO, flag States, and Somali authorities, encourages the full
           participation of Somalia in all coordination efforts and urges continued support of
           these efforts;
                 14. Decides that, for a further period of 12 months from the date of this
           resolution to renew the authorizations as set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 2442
           (2018) granted to States and regional organizations cooperating with Somali
           authorities in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of
           Somalia, for which advance notification has been provided by Somali authorities to
           the Secretary-General;
                15. Affirms that the authorizations renewed in this resolution apply only with
           respect to the situation in Somalia and shall not affect the rights, obligations, or
           responsibilities of Member States under international law, including any rights or
           obligations under The Convention, with respect to any other situation, and
           underscores in particular that this resolution shall not be considered as establishing
           customary international law; and affirms further that such authorizations have been
           renewed in response to the 22 November 2019 letter conveying the request of Somali
           authorities;
                 16. Decides that the arms embargo on Somalia imposed by paragraph 5 of
           resolution 733 (1992) and further elaborated upon by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution
           1425 (2002) and modified by paragraphs 33 to 38 of resolution 2093 does not apply
           to supplies of weapons and military equipment or the provision of assistance destined
           for the sole use of Member States, international, regional, and sub -regional
           organizations undertaking measures in accordance with paragraph 14 above, as most
           recently reaffirmed by OP 19(b) of resolution 2498 (2019);
                 17. Calls upon all States to take appropriate actions under their existing
           domestic law, or develop legislative processes, to prevent the illicit financing of acts
           of piracy and the laundering of its proceeds;
                 18. Calls upon all States, and in particular flag, port, and coastal States, States
           of the nationality of victims and perpetrators of piracy and armed robbery, and other
           States with relevant jurisdiction under international law and national legislation, to
           cooperate in determining jurisdiction, to criminalize piracy under their domestic law,
           and to favourably consider the prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of those
           convicted, pirates apprehended off the coast of Somalia, and their facilitators and
           financiers ashore, decides to keep these matters under review, including, as
           appropriate, the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia with

19-20888                                                                                5/7

S/RES/2500 (2019)

               substantial international participation and/or support as set forth in resolution 2015
               (2011), and encourages the CGPCS to continue its discussions in this regard;
                     19. Further calls upon all States to cooperate in the investigation and
               prosecution of all persons responsible for or associated with acts of pira cy and armed
               robbery off the coast of Somalia, including international criminal networks involved
               in piracy who plan, organize, facilitate, or illicitly finance or profit from such attack,
               consistent with applicable international law including internationa l human rights law;
               to ensure that all pirates handed over to judicial authorities are subject to a judicial
               process, and to render assistance by, among other actions, providing disposition and
               logistics assistance with respect to persons under their juris diction and control, such
               as victims, witnesses, and persons detained as a result of operations conducted under
               this resolution;
                    20. Urges all States to ensure that counter-piracy activities, particularly landbased activities, take into consideration the need to protect women and children from
               exploitation, including sexual exploitation;
                    21. Urges all States to share information with INTERPOL for use in the global
               piracy database, through appropriate channels;
                    22. Welcomes the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme’s continued
               work with authorities in Somalia and in neighbouring States to ensure that individuals
               suspected of piracy are prosecuted and those convicted are imprisoned in a manner
               consistent with applicable international law, including interna tional human rights law,
               and welcomes the work of international and regional organizations to strengthen the
               capacity of financial intelligence units in Somalia and neighbouring states;
                    23. Recognizes the successful prosecution of piracy cases by Seychelles and
               implores regional authorities to honour transfer agreements;
                    24. Urges States parties to The Convention and the 1988 Convention for the
               Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA
               Convention) and its protocols to implement fully their relevant obligations under
               these conventions and customary international law and to cooperate with the
               UNODC, IMO, and other States and international organizations to build judicial
               capacity for the successful prosecution of persons suspected of piracy and armed
               robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia;
                     25. Acknowledges the recommendations and guidance provided by the IMO
               on preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea; and urges States, in
               collaboration with the shipping and insurance industries and the IMO, to continue to
               develop and implement avoidance, evasion, and defensive best practices and
               advisories to take when under attack or when sailing in the waters off the coast of
               Somalia, and further urges States to make their citizens and vessels available for
               forensic investigation as appropriate at the first suitable port of call immediately
               following an act or attempted act of piracy or armed robbery at sea or release from
               captivity;
                    26. Welcomes and encourages efforts by flag States and port States to further
               consider the development of safety and security measures on board vessels, including,
               where applicable, developing regulations for the use of privately contracted armed
               security personnel (PCASP) on board ships, aimed at preventing and suppressing
               piracy off the coast of Somalia, through a consultative process, including through the
               IMO and ISO;
                     27. Invites the IMO to continue its contributions to the prevention and
               suppression of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, in coordination, in
               particular, with the UNODC, the World Food Program (WFP), the shipping industry,

6/7                                                                                19-20888

                                                                                S/RES/2500 (2019)

           and all other parties concerned, and recognizes the IMO ’s role concerning privately
           contracted armed security personnel on board ships in high-risk areas;
                 28. Notes the importance of securing the safe delivery of WFP assistance by
           sea, and welcomes the ongoing work by the WFP, EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta,
           and flag States with regard to Vessel Protection Detachments on WFP vessels;
                 29. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council within
           eleven months of the adoption of this resolution on the implementation of this
           resolution and on the situation with respect to piracy and armed robbery at sea off the
           coast of Somalia, including voluntary reports by cooperating States and regional
           organizations;
                30. Expresses its intention to review the situation and consider, as appropriate,
           renewing the authorizations provided in paragraph 14 above for additional periods
           upon the request of Somali authority;
                31.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.

19-20888                                                                                7/7

Security Council resolution 2500 (2019) [on piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia]

China|Djibouti|India|Iran, Islamic Republic of|Japan|Kenya|Korea, Republic of|Madagascar|Russian Federation|Somalia|Seychelles

Eastern Asia|Eastern Europe|Southern Asia|Sub-Saharan Africa

IMO|INTERPOL|UN Office on Drugs and Crime|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|MARITIME SECURITY|HIJACKING OF SHIPS|PIRACY|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION|ARMS EMBARGO|CRIME PREVENTION|INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION

S/74 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Somalia.