Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/428 of 25 February 2023 implementing Article 12(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 of 28 September 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali (1) and in particular Article 12(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 28 September 2017, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/1770.

(2) On 13 December 2021, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2021/2201 (2) to give effect to Decision (CFSP) 2021/2208 (3), which established a new framework, allowing for restrictive measures against individual and entities responsible for threatening the peace, security or stability of Mali, or for obstructing or undermining the successful completion of its political transition.

(3) On 24 January and 21 March 2022, the Council noted that the Transition Authorities decided to cooperate with the Russian-affiliated mercenary forces of the Wagner Group, who are notorious for atrocities, in particular serious human rights abuses in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, Mali and Mozambique, which include torture and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings. The Council condemned the presence of the Wagner Group on the ground.

(4) In view of the continued gravity of the situation in Mali, one person should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex Ia to Regulation (EU) 2017/1770.

(5) Annex Ia to Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex Ia to Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 25 February 2023.

For the Council The President J. ROSWALL

(1) OJ L 251, 29.9.2017, p. 1.

(2) Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2201 of 13 December 2021 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali (OJ L 446, 14.12.2021, p. 1).

(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2208 of 13 December 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali (OJ L 446, 14.12.2021, p. 44).