Madagascar’s foreign minister ‘mutilated’ for voting against Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories

The president of Madagascar dismissed him his minister of foreign affairs because at the United Nations voted to condemn the referendums organized by Russia to annex four partially occupied territories in Ukraineas two sources in the president’s office said.

Last Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned what it described as Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four regions in Ukraine and called on all countries not to recognize the move.

Out of the 193 members of the General Assembly, 143 countries supported the resolution which also reaffirms the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Two senior officials in Andri Razoelina’s office told Reuters that Minister Richard Randriamandrato was fired because he was one of those who approved the resolution.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this year has put many African countries in an awkward diplomatic position. Many have a complicated history of relations with the West and the former Soviet Union as well as significant economic ties to Russia. They have generally avoided taking a stand on the war, to the dismay of some Western states.

Until last week, Madagascar had always abstained from various votes on resolutions related to the Ukraine crisis.

Randriyamandrato declined to comment.

18 of the 35 countries that abstained from last week’s vote were African. Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua also opposed the resolution.

RES-EMP

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