Mali: UN condemns attack which killed six peacekeepers

“The Secretary-General reminds all parties that attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of international law and urges all those responsible to be brought swiftly to justice;” says a statement issued by a UN spokesperson. Earlier, MINUSMA chief Mongi Mamdi had also strongly condemned the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

All of the killed and wounded peacekeepers are from Burkina Faso. Carried out in Goundam-Timbuktu axis, in the Timbuktu region, this attack brings the total number of casualties from hostile acts since the beginning of MINUSMA deployment on 25 April 2013 to 42 peacekeepers killed, including ten in 2015 alone, and 166 peacekeepers wounded.

“These attacks will not alter the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people and the peace process, including through its assistance to the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali,” stresses the statement.

The Secretary-General, adds the Spokesperson, expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the victims and to the Government of Burkina Faso, and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.

“He commendws the brave men and women serving in MINUSMA for their efforts to bring lasting peace to Mali under such difficult conditions.”

Later in the day, the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the attack, calling on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable.

The members of the Council underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. They also reiterated their full support to MINUSMA and the French forces that support it.

Photo: MINUSMA/Marco Dormino