In the meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Russia vetoed the resolution drafted by France and UAE who proposed sanctions against Mali. Thirteen UNSC members voted in favour of the resolution which intends to extend the UN sanctions and independent monitoring for another year on Mali. While Russia vetoed the resolution, China abstained from voting.This draft suggested that the sanctions regime that has been in action since 2017 be extended until August 31, 2024. Russia takes a strong stand against this sanction and warns that this extension should be the last one.Russia vetoes UNSC resolution on sanctions against MaliRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/nNtdfHmnp2#Russia #UNSC #Mali #China #UAE #France pic.twitter.com/ScOdbQbJHf— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 30, 2023Russian ambassador warns UNSCThe Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebezya spoke on Russias decision to not support other drafts on the sanctions against Mali. “I would like to say once again to the US representative – if this resolution is not passed, there will be no return to the discussion of any new draft,” he warned.Moreover, as per media reports, speaking on the counter-productivity of the resolution Nebenzya said “not only in terms of ensuring the efficiency of the sanction regime but also for the peace process in Mali”Resolution of France blocThe draft presented by France and UAE had initiated the extension of sanctions on Mali but did not mention that this is the last such extension. These sanctions are formalised by special laws on the national level, hence, countries are free to extend their national restrictions against Mali. However, there will be no backing from the side of the UN Security Council resolution.Moreover, since the resolution of extending Malis sanction didnt pass, the present sanctions against Mali. The current sanctions are expected to become ineffective from September 1, 2023. A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and the absence of a veto from China, France, Britain, Russia, or the United States for it to pass.Malis condition The current sanctions imposed on Mali include restrictions and the sanction list may include individuals and organizations responsible for actions jeopardizing peace, security, or stability in Mali, in particular those who are participating in hostilities in violation of the 2015 peace agreement, hindering its implementation, hampering humanitarian assistance, violating international humanitarian law, and involved in recruiting children.Those put on the blacklist are banned from visiting foreign countries and their assets and economic resources were frozen.
