Thousands of locals continue to be displaced in South Sudan by increasing levels of floods. Photo: AFP
Thousands of locals continue to be displaced in South Sudan by increasing levels of floods. Photo: AFP
Thousands of locals continue to be displaced in South Sudan by increasing levels of floods. Photo: AFP
Thousands of locals continue to be displaced in South Sudan by increasing levels of floods. Photo: AFP

UN diplomats say Russia is blocking sanctions experts in Africa


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Russia is holding up the appointment of independent experts to monitor the implementation of sanctions on four African countries, saying the panels proposed by the UN secretary general are not geographically balanced and some members are not impartial, UN diplomats have said.

The refusal is delaying investigations of sanctions violations in South Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic, AP cited the diplomats as saying.

The assignment of experts to the committee dealing with the Central African Republic has been stalled since August 31, AFP reported.

The mandate for the committee on the Democratic Republic of Congo expired on August 1.

On Mali, the panel of experts will have to suspend its investigative work on Thursday. For South Sudan, no work has taken place since July 1.

The investigative work of several panels of experts tasked with monitoring compliance with UN arms embargoes and economic sanctions in conflict zones, including Mali, is being blocked, sometimes for months by Russia, AFP cited UN diplomats as saying on Wednesday.

The UN Security Council has to approve new panels before the monitoring of sanctions can continue and Russia has veto power in the UN’s most powerful body.

  • A little girl is seen while she's sifting the mile with two bowls in a camp in the town of Sevare for internally displaced people from the ongoing conflict in Mali, on February 28, 2020. In total 151 households and 712 individuals have fled their villages in central Mali and found a shelter in the camp. AFP
    A little girl is seen while she's sifting the mile with two bowls in a camp in the town of Sevare for internally displaced people from the ongoing conflict in Mali, on February 28, 2020. In total 151 households and 712 individuals have fled their villages in central Mali and found a shelter in the camp. AFP
  • A displaced family stands in a courtyard in Sevare where they found a shelter after fleeing their village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. AFP
    A displaced family stands in a courtyard in Sevare where they found a shelter after fleeing their village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. AFP
  • An aerial view shows the harbor of Mopti in central Mali on February 29, 2020. Two months earlier 400 Dogon people fled their village of Toou finding a shelter in a school in Sevare. AFP
    An aerial view shows the harbor of Mopti in central Mali on February 29, 2020. Two months earlier 400 Dogon people fled their village of Toou finding a shelter in a school in Sevare. AFP
  • An aerial view shows a village of cattle breeders in the outskirts of Mopti in central Mali, on February 29, 2020. AFP
    An aerial view shows a village of cattle breeders in the outskirts of Mopti in central Mali, on February 29, 2020. AFP
  • Displaced men worship in a courtyard in Sevare in central Mali, on February 26, 2020. Two months earlier 400 Dogon people fled their village of Toou finding a shelter in a school of Sevare. AFP
    Displaced men worship in a courtyard in Sevare in central Mali, on February 26, 2020. Two months earlier 400 Dogon people fled their village of Toou finding a shelter in a school of Sevare. AFP
  • A displaced woman does the laundry while a group of children is playing behind here, in Sevare in central Mali on February 26, 2020. AFP
    A displaced woman does the laundry while a group of children is playing behind here, in Sevare in central Mali on February 26, 2020. AFP
  • Amadou Diakite, 75, poses in a courtyard of Sevare after fleeing his village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. In January 2019 Jihadists broke in the village, setting fire on it, killing 3 villagers, and stealing all the livestock. AFP
    Amadou Diakite, 75, poses in a courtyard of Sevare after fleeing his village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. In January 2019 Jihadists broke in the village, setting fire on it, killing 3 villagers, and stealing all the livestock. AFP
  • A displaced family is seen in a courtyard of Sevare where they found a shelter after fleeing their village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. In January 2019 Jihadists broke in the village, setting fire on it, killing 3 villagers, and stealing all the livestock. AFP
    A displaced family is seen in a courtyard of Sevare where they found a shelter after fleeing their village of Guerri in central Mali, on February 27, 2020. In January 2019 Jihadists broke in the village, setting fire on it, killing 3 villagers, and stealing all the livestock. AFP
  • Displaced children play with old tires in a courtyard in Sevare in central Mali, on February 26, 2020. AFP
    Displaced children play with old tires in a courtyard in Sevare in central Mali, on February 26, 2020. AFP

“We can’t approve unbalanced composition of the sanction committees," AP quoted Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, as saying. "And this issue unfortunately hasn’t been duly taken care of by the UN Secretariat. So we hope a solution will be found soon.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has yet to comment.

In recent years, Russia has become much more active in Africa, especially in the Central African Republic and Mali.

In late June, UN experts accused Russian military instructors and the Central African Republic forces they are supporting of “excessive use of force, indiscriminate killings, the occupation of schools and looting on a large scale”.

Moscow denied the allegations.

If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

Updated: September 30, 2021, 5:56 AM