Russia has used its veto power at the United Nations Security Council during the vote concerning the Western-sponsored resolution on sanctions against Mali, as reported by a correspondent from the TASS news agency on-site.
The document stated that the existing sanctions regime in place since 2017 would continue until August 31, 2024, while Russia insisted that this extension be the last. Additionally, it was noted that the Security Council could review the restrictions at any time.
Prior to the vote, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, emphasized that “the Council’s adoption of the document in the form proposed by the co-authors (United Arab Emirates and France), in the context of a call from Bamako requesting the abolition of the sanctions regime, would be counterproductive not only for ensuring the effectiveness of the sanctions regime but also for the peace process within Mali.”
Under the current regime of restrictive measures applied to Mali, the sanctions list can include individuals and entities responsible for “acts or measures that constitute a threat to the peace, security, or stability of Mali,” including participating in hostilities in violation of the 2015 peace agreement, obstructing its implementation, impeding humanitarian assistance to the population, committing violations of international humanitarian law, and recruiting children into militias.
Individuals on the blacklist are subject to travel bans and the freezing of all their funds, other financial assets, and economic resources.
