The United Nations Security Council, on Wednesday, with 13 votes in favor and two abstentions to extend the sanctions regime against Sudan, by resolution 1591 of 2005, until 12 March 2024.
The countries that abstained were Russia and China. Russia’s reaction was expected as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had stated in February from Khartoum that he would support Sudan in lifting the UN sanctions.
The representative of China, Mr. Geng Shuang, opted to abstain from endorsing the sanctions, as he believes that they are antiquated and ought to be rescinded in view of the enhanced circumstances prevailing in Darfur.
These sanctions have been applied since 2005 by the UN during the Darfur conflict, by mandating a panel of experts by the UN Security Council to monitor the implementation of arms embargoes and economic sanctions imposed on countries in conflict situations.