Russia, China has banned UN aid from ECOWAS sanctions in Mali | United Nations News

Russia and China have barred the United Nations Security Council from backing a decision by the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS) to impose new sanctions on Mali, at the request of its military leaders. to be in power for five years before making decisions.

The French council’s decision to approve the sanctions failed to materialize on Tuesday, prompting three African council members – Kenya, Ghana and Gabon – to speak to the media to support the commission’s actions.

Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Kimani, said he was “disappointed” that the council could not agree with what he called “calm” and indicated that it was supporting “the imposition of sanctions on Mali’s military to ensure” reform of the country’s constitution. “

On Sunday, leaders of the Economic Community of West Africa States stopped many businesses with financial assistance to Mali, border closures by airlines “and the countries involved” and the establishment of an independent military force, saying it “must be prepared for anything”.

This comes as last month, the caretaker government of Mali wants to hold office until five years before the election, although countries want to honor its promise to hold elections on February 27 this year.

France, the former colony of Mali, which also serves as president of the European Union, and the United States, have confirmed their support for ECOWAS sanctions.

“We are fully committed to the region and to the courage and transparency,” ECOWAS President of France Emmanuel Macron told reporters Tuesday.

Washington also supported the “strong actions” of the 15-member bloc and urged the Malian government to honor its promise of democracy.

“The five-year transition is unpopular and exacerbates human suffering,” U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a Security Council meeting.

The Algerian president, who has long borders with Mali, also called on the military to negotiate with ECOWAS and “reach an agreement on the issue, taking into account the international interests and legitimate needs of the people of Mali”.

Supporting the military government of Mali

Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing said Mali was in the midst of a difficult transition period and said foreign troops should refrain from coercing West Africa.

Recognizing the recent developments in ECOWAS, as well as the response of the reform authorities, he urged both parties to promote dialogue and resolve regional issues.

Russia has rejected a decision made by the commission to present it to the federal government because it does not agree with what the government says.

“We understand and recognize the difficulties that Mali officials face in preparing for elections,” said Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

“We agree with the fact that the non-reinstatement of state authority in many areas, regions of the country, will be difficult to see the vote as legitimate.”

French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere once again criticized his country for sending Russian troops. Wagner Group, he said, “is known to be a threat to civilians, extortion, violation of international law and international liberty”.

He lamented that the Reformers in Mali were “using less government funds than ever to pay for foreigners instead of supporting the military and government forces to help the people of Mali”.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied the Russian government’s concerns and said the company had a “legal” right to reside in West Africa because it had been invited by the revolutionary government.

UN Ambassador to Mali Issa Konfourou told the Security Council that there were no human rights activists in Mali. He said Russian educators were in Mali to train and train their troops to use the weapons the Russian government had acquired.

Konfourou said his government was “shocked” by ECOWAS sanctions on the economic and financial system and “strongly criticized the illegal and unethical practices”.

Mu a speaking to the nation On Monday, army chief Colonel Assimi Goita called the sanctions “conspiracy” and said Mali was still open for talks.

Goita led a terrorist attack in August 2020 that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Threatened with sanctions after the seizure, he promised to hold presidential and legislative elections, and to restore civilian rule by February 2022.

But he carried out a second attack in May 2021, forcing a local government to undermine the democratic process.

Goita was declared President and in December his government decided to hold office for another five years.