UN slaps sanctions on 5 Malians for obstructing peace deal

This photo taken on July 14, 2016 shows a soldier of the United Nations mission to Mali standing guard near a UN vehicle after it drove over an explosive device near Kidal, northern Mali. (AFP file photo)

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council has added five Malians to the UN sanctions blacklist for obstructing implementation of a 2015 peace deal.
The three parties to the 2015 agreement were the government, a pro-government militia known as the Platform, and a coalition of groups called the Coordination of Movements of Azawad, which includes ethnic Arabs and Tuaregs who seek autonomy in northern Mali.
The council imposed a travel ban and asset freeze Tuesday on Mohamed Ould Mataly, a member of parliament from President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s political party; Ahmed Ag Albachar, a coalition member who heads a humanitarian commission in northern Kidal; and Mahri Sidi Amar Ben Daha, a member of the Platform.
Sanctions were also levied on dissident Houka Houka Ag Alhousseini and trafficker Mohamed Ben Ahmed Mahri.