Musings From Abroad

Mali: Russia, China disagree with UN’s request for independent investigations over Moura massacre

Published

3 years ago

April 10, 2022

Russia and China have disagreed with the United Nations Security Council’s request for independent investigations into the alleged Moura massacre in Mali.

The request was made in a statement drafted by France and submitted to the Security Council for approval Friday.

The investigation request stressed “deep concern” and calls for investigation “at the allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Mali, in particular those perpetrated against civilians in Moura, in the Mopti region, from 27 to 31 March 2022.

But Moscow and Beijing “did not see the need” for the investigation, and considered it “premature” since an investigation had been opened by the Malian authorities.

Last week, the army in Mali said its troops killed over 200 jihadists in military operations in the center of the Sahel state but UN Peacekeeping Mission in the country countered the claims, saying it has heard reports of civilian deaths, raising human rights concerns.

There have been reports of human rights abuses against civilians during the Malian armed forces’ anti-terrorism operation in Moura, the UN in its report underscored the need for the Malian authorities to cooperate with the Mission so it can access the site of the alleged violations.

UN said its mission has opened 17 investigations into the allegations of indiscriminate attacks against civilians, extrajudicial arrests, mistreatment, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

In contrast, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday congratulated Mali on an “important victory” against “terrorism” and described as “disinformation” allegations about the massacre of civilians by Malian forces, as well as those about the involvement of Russian mercenaries from the private company Wagner in the operation.

Last Sunday, the US State Department said it is following “extremely disturbing accounts” of large numbers of people killed in Moura and reported that the army in Mali had recruited Russian Mercenaries – Wagner Group in its latest assault on supposed terrorists.

Related Topics:Featured Mali Moura village UN

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Musings From Abroad

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with Zambia, the second-largest producer of copper in Africa.

The trading unit is jointly owned by Mercuria and an arm of Zambia’s Industrial Development Company (IDC), and its purpose is to allow Zambia to engage directly in the minerals trading market.

The joint venture “envisages the establishment of a vehicle to market and trade Zambian copper by mutual leverage,” according to a statement from Cornwell Muleya, the CEO of IDC.

The southern African nation wants to increase copper output to roughly 3 million metric tonnes within the next ten years, and in 2023, it produced roughly 698,000 tonnes of copper, down from 763,000 metric tonnes the year before.

In June, the Zambian government announced that it would establish a minerals trading unit.

Investors including First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold are ramping up production, with output set to receive a further boost once Vedanta Resources’ Konkola Copper Mines restart activity.

“Our joint venture with IDC marks a significant milestone for Zambia as it positions itself more strategically in the global minerals market,” Kostas Bintas, Mercuria’s global head of metals and minerals, said in the statement.

Musings From Abroad

Blinken to reveal UN Sudan funding additions

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Additional financing for humanitarian aid to Sudan and initiatives to strengthen civil society in the nation, where a conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, will be announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations on Thursday.

Blinken will make many announcements when he leads a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan on Thursday, which will centre on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, Deputy U.S. Representative to the UN Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday.

According to Price, the announcements would include more money for humanitarian help, initiatives to strengthen civil society, and the return of democracy.

“Sudan, unfortunately, has risked becoming a forgotten conflict,” Price said.

“So part of the reason the secretary … opted to convene a signature event on this very topic is to make sure it remains in the spotlight,” Price said.

For almost 18 months, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudan’s army have been engaged in combat, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis that has forced over 12 million people from their homes and made it difficult for U.N. organisations to provide aid.

A power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces preceded a planned shift to civilian administration, which sparked the conflict in April 2023.

Although the army declined to join this year’s U.S.-mediated peace negotiations in Geneva, the warring parties did pledge to increase assistance access, which prevented any movement towards a ceasefire.

Price stated that before President Joe Biden’s term ends next month, the United States would keep collaborating with allies to enhance humanitarian access in Sudan and eventually end hostilities.

“We are going to leave nothing on the field in our efforts to work with allies, with partners, with the Sudanese stakeholders themselves, on the issues that matter most – humanitarian access, the provision of humanitarian assistance, ultimately, the process by which we can work to get to a cessation of hostilities, which is most urgently needed,” he said.