United Nation member-states Thursday voted overwhelmingly to adopt a draft resolution that calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, as the conflict marked its first year.
The resolution titled “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” affirms the need to quickly establish peace in Ukraine, Russian troop withdrawal from the country, and accountability for alleged war crimes committed in the conflict.
The General Assembly resumed its emergency session in New York on Thursday to hear the final testimonials on the draft resolution and take a vote. With 141 votes in favor, the resolution passed.
Seven member states voted against the resolution and 32 abstained.
Delegates to the General Assembly erupted into applause after the reading of the vote tally.
South Sudan has repeatedly abstained from voting on matters relating to the war in Ukraine, but on Thursday that changed. Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal added his vote in favor of the resolution.
“We joined to vote in favor of the draft with the singular reason that this conflict has to stop,” he said. “Its devastation has been experienced far and wide. Therefore, through our vote we strongly call for a peaceful and speedy settlement through a negotiated mechanism agreed upon by the parties to the conflict.”
On Wednesday, many of the members spoke wholly in favor of the resolution as it was. On Thursday, however, there were notably more critics, including delegates from China, Angola and Cuba who said some of the language in the resolution would not further peace talks.
Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta of Cuba explained why he abstained from voting after the results were read.
“We reject any attempts in the future to manipulate this text as a legal basis to justify the possible creation of tribunals aimed at carrying out judgements at national or international levels,” he said.
CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE
