Russia Blocks UN Sanctions Against an African Nation.
UN Sanctions on Mali Set to Expire Amidst Russia’s Veto
All United Nations sanctions imposed on Mali will cease to exist as of August 31, following Russia’s veto against a proposal by France and the United Arab Emirates to extend them. The move has generated significant controversy, with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, citing a lack of consideration for the concerns expressed by both Mali and Moscow as the primary reason for Russia’s objection.
The joint proposal by France and the UAE sought to prolong both the sanctions and the UN Expert Group’s mandate, responsible for monitoring Mali, until August and September 2024, respectively. While it garnered 13 votes in favor within the UN Security Council, it ultimately failed due to Russia’s veto, while China chose to abstain from voting.
In response, the council rejected an alternative draft presented by Moscow, which aimed to terminate the Expert Group’s mandate immediately and provide a “final” 12-month extension to the sanctions. Japan voted against this proposal, with 13 other members abstaining.
The decision to veto the sanctions extension appears to be tied to the Expert Group’s latest report, which criticized the Russian private military company, Wagner, for its alleged involvement in “violence against women and other forms of grave abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law” aimed at “spreading terror among populations.” Mali has justified its collaboration with the Wagner Group by asserting that Russian security advisers have been more effective in countering jihadist insurgents that emerged in the Sahel region following NATO’s 2011 intervention in Libya, in comparison to French or UN efforts.
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador, emphasized that the Franco-Emirati draft disregarded both Mali’s concerns and Russia’s position. He argued that the Russian resolution took into account the views of African members of the Council, advocating for sanctions to continue for a certain period to facilitate the peace agreement’s implementation, without becoming a tool for external interference in Mali’s domestic affairs.
France, Mali’s former colonial power, had previously withdrawn all its troops from the nation at the request of the Malian military government. Furthermore, Mali has given approximately 15,000 UN peacekeepers and civilian staff until December 31 to leave the country.
Nebenzia concluded by expressing hope that future resolution sponsors would prioritize pragmatism and the host country’s interests to prevent unnecessary confrontations in the Security Council. He stressed that a compromise agreement could have been reached if certain delegations had displayed the necessary political will.
