31.08.2023, New York.
Russia has decided to exercise its right in the UN Security Council and veto a draft resolution proposed by France and the UAE to extend sanctions against Mali for a year, RIA Novosti wrote on August 31.
China abstained, while the other members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of the draft.
The proposed draft resolution implied the extension of the sanctions imposed in 2017 for a year – until August 31, 2024, as it was done previously. In addition, the document also included the extension of the UN sanctions committee’s panel of experts until September 30, 2024. This group of experts monitors compliance with the sanctions and identifies individuals to be included in the sanctions list.
Sanctions included asset freezes and travel bans for individuals who, in the opinion of the panel of experts, interfered with implementing the 2015 peace agreement.
In response to the French and UAE proposal, Russia came up with its own alternative draft resolution. This document calls for the extension of the sanctions until August 31, 2024 “for a final term.” In addition, Russia proposes to immediately dissolve the expert group of the UN sanctions committee.
The events in Mali remained in the center of attention of the international community. In August 2020, a rebellion broke out at a military base near the capital Bamako. The rebels announced the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse. The president subsequently announced his resignation and dissolution of parliament and government, leading to the formation of a transitional government in the country.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
