UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday decided to impose travel ban and asset freeze on individuals and entities responsible for derailing the peace process in the African country of Mali and to set up a sanctions committee for the purposes.
The council unanimously passed Resolution 2374, demanding all UN member states prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by individuals designated by the sanctions committee, unless the committee determines on a case-by-case basis that such travel is justified.
The resolution also demands all UN member states immediately freeze, with certain exceptions, all funds, other financial assets and economic resources on their territories, which are owned or controlled by the individuals or entities designated by the sanctions committee, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them.
Both the travel ban and asset freeze would be valid for an initial period of one year from the date of the adoption of the resolution.
The sanctions committee, comprising all Security Council members, would designate those subject to the travel ban and asset freeze. It would also examine and take appropriate action on information concerning alleged violations or non-compliance with the restrictive measures.
Under Resolution 2374, the UN secretary-general is requested to create a panel of up to five experts to assist the sanctions committee in carrying out its mandate and to gather, examine and analyze information regarding the implementation of the restrictive measures.
The resolution encourages timely information exchange between the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali and the panel of experts, and requests the UN mission assist the sanctions committee and the panel of experts.
Mali is plagued by a civil war between the north and the south, plus political instability and the rise of rebel militants.
Tuareg rebels in the north began to fight for independence in January 2012, and after a military coup that ousted Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure in March, declared independence of their own state -- Azawad.
Tuareg rebels and other militant groups, which were allies for the independence of Azawad, turned their guns at each other over ideological division. In a few months' time, Tuareg rebels lost control of most of northern cities. The Malian government had to ask for foreign military help.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as Minusma, was established in April 2013 to stabilize the situation. Conflicts still occur despite peace agreements.
