Uganda Abstains As UN Votes on Ukraine Crisis

Uganda on Wednesday abstained during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly vote on the Ukraine Crisis.

“As incoming Chair of the Non- aligned Movement (NAM) NEUTRALITY is key,” said Adonia Ayebare, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations.

He said Uganda will continue to play a constructive role in the maintenance of peace and security both regionally and globally.”

Uganda Abstained on the UN General Assembly vote on the Ukraine Crisis. As incoming Chair of the Non- aligned Movement(NAM) NEUTRALITY is key. Uganda will continue to play a constructive role in the maintenance of peace and security both regionally and globally. pic.twitter.com/qCwqWop5tS

— Adonia Ayebare (@adoniaayebare) March 2, 2022

Rwanda and Kenya voted YES while South Sudan, Burundi and Tanzania abstained.

The Wednesday procedural vote saw 141 countries vote in favour, 5 against and 35 members including China, abstain in a rare emergency session.

The assembly condemned the invasion and demanded for the immediate withdrawal of Russia troops.

Russia was joined by Belarus, which has served as a launch pad for Russian invasion forces, Eritrea, North Korea and Syria in voting against the resolution.

While General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they carry political weight, with Wednesday’s vote representing a symbolic victory for Ukraine and increasing Moscow’s international isolation.

Even Russia’s traditional ally Serbia voted against it, reported Reuters.

“As 141 member states of the United Nations know, more is at stake even than the conflict in Ukraine itself. This is a threat to the security of Europe and the entire rules-based order,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters after the vote.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the assembly that Russia was poised to intensify the brutality of its offensive and urged members to hold Moscow accountable for its violations of international law.