In a significant move, Russia has utilized its veto power to block a resolution in the United Nations Security Council aimed at extending sanctions on Mali for another year until August 31, 2024.
The final vote saw a majority of 13 in favor, one against, with China abstaining from voting.
According to Russian news agency Sputnik, the resolution proposed the extension of the sanctions regime that had been in effect since 2017, prolonging it until August 31, 2024, as done in previous instances.
The resolution also suggested extending the mandate of the expert group affiliated with the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee until September 30, 2024.
This expert group monitors the implementation of the sanctions and also identifies individuals to be added to the sanctions list.
The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans on those individuals designated by the expert group of the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee as obstructing the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement.
