Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on the extension of the Somalia sanctions regime

[Deeq A.]

Mr.President, 

The Russian Federation abstained in the vote on the UNSC draft resolution prepared by the UK on the extension of the Somalia sanctions regime.

We regret that the UNSC was once again unable to reach consensus, even though that possibility was well within reach.

We cannot agree with the retention of the paragraphs on Djibouti and Eritrea in the document. Sanctions against Eritrea were lifted by the UNSC back in 2018. The current state of relationship between Djibouti and Asmara does not pose a threat to international peace and security. The outstanding issues between these two countries can be settled through bilateral diplomacy. This is the assessment of the situation that has been repeated in the UN Secretary-General’s annual report to the UNSC for the last 4 years.

We believe that the afore-mentioned provisions are outdated and have nothing to do with the Somalia sanctions regime. We regret if their retention in this UNSC document is meant to serve the bilateral goals of certain UNSC members or is used as a means of putting pressure on those they dislike. In this context, we also condemn the practice of using or threatening to use illegal unilateral sanctions. 

Mr.President, 

We also cannot agree with the wording included in operative paragraph 38 which compels panels of experts to advance gender issues across all areas of their mandates without taking country specificities into account. We believe that such actions are artificial and politicized.

Thank you for your attention.

Source: Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

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