On Thursday, the UN General Assembly in New York overwhelmingly backed a resolution denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over a year prior.
Fifteen African countries abstained and 28 supported the vote
South Africa, Ethiopia, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Namibia, Central Africa Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Guinea, Mozambique, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe abstained in the vote.
The resolution demanded an end to hostilities in Ukraine and the departure of all soldiers. Though not legally binding, the measure has political influence.
141 countries voted in favor, 32 abstained, and seven countries opposed. Africa represented over half of the abstentions.
Eritrea and Mali were the only African countries who voted against it.
Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and Guinea-Bissau did not take part in the voting.
Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, and Kenya were among the African countries that backed the vote.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the resolution which he described as a powerful signal of global support.
Friday marks exactly a year since the full-scale invasion began.
The #UNGA 11th ESS (resumed) just adopted draft resolution A/ES-11/L.7 on Principles of the Charter of the #UN underlying a comprehensive, just & lasting peace in #Ukraine (by recorded vote: 141 in favour-7 against-32 abstentions)
– FULL TEXT 🔗 https://t.co/cY7MpDcTt5 @UN_PGA pic.twitter.com/wCtq8719t5— UN Media Liaison (MALU) (@UNMediaLiaison) February 23, 2023