Russia vetoes UN Mali sanctions resolution

The resolution which called for extending for a year the sanctions regime put in place in 2017 against individuals endangering the 2015 peace agreement, as well as the committee of experts responsible for monitoring them, garnered 13 votes in in favour, one abstention (China) and one vote against (Russia).

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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the leader of the ruling junta in Mali, Assimi Goita, near Saint-Petersburg (Russia), on July 29, 2023. (MIKHAIL METZEL / TASS HOST PHOTO AGENCY / AFP)

Russia, an ally of Bamako, vetoed on Wednesday August 30 a UN Security Council resolution extending sanctions against Malians threatening peace in the country, which the Malian junta called for the lifting.

The resolution which called for extending for a year the sanctions regime put in place in 2017 against individuals endangering the 2015 peace agreement, as well as the committee of experts responsible for monitoring them, garnered 13 votes in in favour, one abstention (China) and one vote against (Russia).

Russia agreed to extend the sanctions, but only one last time, and above all wanted to dissolve the committee of experts whose objectivity it disputes with Bamako. His resolution to this effect was rejected, with one vote for, one against and 13 abstentions.

Violence against women perpetrated in a “systematic and organized” way

The latest report by the committee of experts published last week notably questioned violence against women perpetrated in a “systematic and organized“by the Malian armed forces and their “foreign security partners”presumed to be members of the Russian group Wagner.

This sanctions regime (freeze of assets or travel ban) had been put in place in 2017 and concerned eight individuals, in particular leaders of groups signatories to the 2015 peace agreement accused of putting it in danger.

These sanctions had been demanded by the Malian government at the time, but the junta in power today is calling for them to be lifted.


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