Security Council extends UNSOM mandate for another year

The UN Security Council expressed worry over the ongoing risks posed by the Al Shabab group as it unanimously voted on Monday to prolong the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for an additional year.

The Council requested UNSOM to maintain and strengthen its presence across Somalia and to continue to cooperate with the government officials and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

The Council also denounced any abuse or obstruction of humanitarian aid through the resolution, and it demanded that all parties permit and facilitate full, safe, quick, and unfettered access for the timely delivery of aid to those in need throughout Somalia.

UNSOM was created in June 2013 by the Security Council to support state-building in Somalia. It was last renewed in late May. The Security Council condemned the terror attack on Saturday, which claimed over 120 lives in Mogadishu.