UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council Sanctions against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been renewed. 

The Council extended its asset freezes, travel ban, and arms embargo sanctions through July 1, 2023, adopting resolution 2641 by a vote of 10 for, 0 against, and 5 abstentions on Thursday night, as per reports. Absent from the voting were China, Russia, Ghana, Gabon, and Kenya.

In an explanation of the vote, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, pointed out that the Security Council's sanctions on the DRC are designed to end the violent activities of armed groups.

"Unfortunately, armed groups are still active in the eastern DRC 18 years after the original implementation, and the DRC government's ability to provide security has been limited. The DRC government has frequently asked the council to remove the nation's arms ban "he observed.

Due to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels' recent comeback, the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has deteriorated resulting in several civilian deaths and displacements.

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