Russia, China block UN support for ECOWAS Mali sanctions | United Nations News

Russia and China have blocked the UN Security Council from backing the decision to impose new sanctions on the ECOWAS West African economic bloc in Mali, following a proposal by its military leaders. to keep in power for a maximum of five years before the election.

The statement from the French council, which approved the sanctions, was not approved in a closed-door consultation on Tuesday, and three African councilors – Kenya, Ghana and Gabon – spoke to reporters to support the position of the regional bloc.

Kenya’s UN ambassador, Martin Kimani, said he was “disappointed” that the council could not agree because the press release was “relatively lukewarm” and said he supported the imposition of sanctions on Mali’s military authorities. accelerate the transition to constitutional rule ”.

On Sunday, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States most of the trade was canceled and subsidies to Mali, closed land and air borders with “requested states” and activated the blockade’s standstill force, saying it “should be ready for any event”.

The move came last month, despite the fact that Mali’s interim government has proposed to remain in power for five years before the election, despite an international demand that respects its commitment to hold elections on 27 February this year.

France, the former colonial power in Mali, which is also the rotating presidency of the European Union, and the United States, have emphasized their support for ECOWAS sanctions.

“We have full solidarity with the region and a very bold and clear attitude,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Tuesday.

Washington also supported the “strong actions” of the 15-member bloc and called on the Mali regime to fulfill its commitment to return to democracy.

“The five-year transition is not in their best interest and prolongs the pain of the people,” U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a Security Council meeting.

The Algerian presidency, which has a long border with Mali, has also called on the military to negotiate with ECOWAS and “reach a plan to end the crisis, taking into account international demands and the legal demands of the people of Mali.”

Support for the military government of Mali

Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing has said that Mali is in the midst of a critical period of transition and that foreign forces must stop putting pressure on the West African country.

The latest ECOWAS measures, as well as the response of the transitional authorities, encouraged the two sides to strengthen dialogue and resolve regional issues.

Russia called the council’s proposal unbalanced and expressed sympathy for the government.

“We understand and are aware of the difficulties that the Malian authorities have had in preparing for the general elections,” said Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

“We agree that unless we regain control of the government in many parts of the country, it will be difficult for the vote to be considered legitimate.”

French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere reiterated his country’s condemnation of the spread of Russian mercenaries. Wagner team, he said, “known to threaten civilians, plunder resources, violate international law and state sovereignty.”

Mali said the transitional authorities “are already using limited public funds to pay foreign mercenaries instead of supporting national forces and public services for the benefit of the people of Mali.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied any involvement with the Russian government, saying the company has a “legitimate” right to remain in the West African nation at the invitation of the transitional government.

UN Ambassador to Mali Issa Konfourou has told the Security Council that there are no mercenaries on Mali’s land. The Russian coach said they are in Mali to advise and train his military on the use of military equipment acquired by the government from Russia.

Konfourou said his government was “surprised” by ECOWAS ‘economic and financial sanctions and “strongly condemned these illegal and unlawful measures”.

in a address to the nation On Monday, Colonel-in-Chief Assimi Goita described the sanctions as “non-existent” and stated that Malik remained open to dialogue.

Goita staged a coup in August 2020 that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

He threatened to hold presidential and legislative elections in the aftermath of the coup and promised to restore civilian rule by February 2022.

But it de facto staged a second coup in May 2021, ousted the caretaker civilian government and disrupted the calendar for the restoration of democracy.

Goita appointed himself interim president and in December proposed that his government remain in power for another five years.