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A6 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 9 February 2022

U.S. and Russia clash over use and impact of U.N. sanctions

By EDITH M. LEDERER "In the Central African Re-
Associated Press public, they've improved
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — the practices of a mining
The United States and its al- company," he said. "In So-
lies clashed with Russia and malia, the arms embargo
China in the U.N. Security has enabled the seizure of
Council on Monday over thousands of ammunition
the usefulness and impact rounds, anti-tank guided
of U.N. sanctions, which are missiles, and sniper-fire rifles
currently imposed on coun- reportedly intended for
tries from North Korea to al-Shabab," the al-Qaida-
Yemen and Congo as well linked extremist group.
the al-Qaida and Islamic Russia's Polyansky took spe-
State extremist groups and cial aim at sanctions im-
their affiliates and support- posed outside the U.N. by
ers. Russia, which holds countries or groups, which
the council presidency this he said "remain a serious
meeting and chose the impediment for full-fledged
topic -- preventing humani- functioning of humanitar-
tarian and unintended ian exemptions," citing
consequences of sanctions problems with contractors,
-- also lashed out at unilat- carriers, cargo insurance
eral sanctions imposed by and bank transactions.
the United States, Europe- The Security Council stakeout area is closed off to members of the media during the 75th session He also said Russia pro-
an Union and other coun- of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2020, at U.N. headquarters. Associated Press ceeds from the understand-
tries and groups. ing that only U.N. sanctions
U.N. political chief Rose- are no longer "the blunt in- Republic and Sudan and "certain capabilities" in "are legitimate," and that
mary DiCarlo told the coun- strument they once were." calling the measures on North Korea's nuclear and broader use of unilateral
cil there are 14 U.N. sanc- Since the 1990s, they have Guinea Bissau "anachro- ballistic missile programs. sanctions "undermines the
tions regimes: As examples, undergone changes to nistic." The Security Coun- Sanctions also "constrain norms and institutes of the
in Libya, Mali, South Sudan minimize possible adverse cil needs "to take greater the resources of those who international law."
and Yemen they support consequences on civilians heed of what the authori- would spoil peace process- Polyansky claimed "sec-
conflict resolution; in Guin- and third countries, and ties of states under sanc- es, threaten U.N. peace- ondary sanctions of major
ea Bissau they aim to deter the Security Council has tions think" and be more keepers, commit atrocities, Western powers create a
unconstitutional changes included and provided realistic in setting bench- and obstruct humanitarian `toxic vibe' around Pyong-
of government; in Central humanitarian exemptions marks to lift them to make assistance," she said. yang" that discourages
African Republic, Congo in most sanctions regimes, sure they don't turn into "a Britain's deputy ambas- cooperation even in areas
and Somalia they curb the she said. mission impossible," he said. sador James Kariyuki said not touched by interna-
illicit exploitation of natural Russia's deputy U.N. am- U.S. Ambassador Linda the value of U.N. sanctions tional restrictions. He also
resources that fund armed bassador Dmitry Polyansky, Thomas-Greenfield coun- were proven in Angola, Ivo- cited what he called the
groups; in North Korea, they who chaired the meeting, tered that sanctions are "a ry Coast, Liberia and Sierra "war of sanctions" against
target proliferation activi- said many sanctions re- potent tool" that "make it Leone where "they helped Russia's ally Syria, which has
ties; and they constrain Is- gimes interfere with plans harder for terrorists to raise end conflict and support very negatively affected
lamic State and al-Qaida for state-building and funds via international fi- the transition to peace its economy, as well as U.S.
terrorist threats. economic development, nancial systems," and have and democracy" and were sanctions against Cuba
DiCarlo said U.N. sanctions pointing to Central African slowed development of then lifted. and Venezuela.q

U.N.: 13 million people face severe

hunger in Horn of Africa

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ethiopia, south-eastern and and leading to increased
Drought conditions have northern Kenya, and south- conflict between com-
left an estimated 13 million central Somalia. Malnutri- munities." More forecasts
people facing severe hun- tion rates are high in the of below-average rainfall
ger in the Horn of Africa, region. threaten to worsen condi-
according to the United WFP said it needs $327 mil- tions in the coming months,
Nations World Food Pro- lion to look after the urgent it said. Others have raised
gram. needs of 4.5 million people alarm over a fragile region
People in a region includ- over the next six months that also faces sporadic
ing Somalia, Ethiopia and and help communities be- armed violence.
Kenya face the driest come more resilient to ex- The U.N. children's agency
conditions recorded since treme climate shocks. said earlier in February that
1981, the agency reported "Three consecutive failed more than 6 million people
Tuesday, calling for imme- rainy seasons have deci- in Ethiopia are expected to
diate assistance to forestall mated crops and caused need urgent humanitarian
Food supplies of wheat are distributed during a visit by World a major humanitarian crisis. abnormally high livestock aid by mid-March. In neigh-
Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director Michael Dunford to Drought conditions are af- deaths," it said in a state- boring Somalia, more than
a camp for the internally-displaced in Adadle, in the Somali fecting pastoral and farm- ment. "Shortages of water 7 million people need ur-
Region of Ethiopia Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. ing communities across and pasture are forcing gent help, according to the
Associated Press
southern and south-eastern families from their homes Somali NGO Consortium.q