The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voted to extend the mandate of its UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to the end of June 2020.
UNSC arrived at this decision remotely during a meeting of top diplomats. It has requested its diplomats to work remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has ravaged the world.
UNSC established UNSOM on June 3, 2013 to help the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to promote peace in the country.
Initially, UNSOM’s mandate was set to run until March 31, 2020. However, the recent UNSC meeting agreed to extend its mandate by a further three months.
During the meeting, UNSC also agree to extend its mission in Darfur until May 31, 2020 too. It arrived at these decisions because of uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.