Secretary-General Condemns Killing of Peacekeepers in Mali, Saying Attacks

 

Will Not Alter United Nations Determination to Support Peace Efforts

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the death of four Chadian peacekeepers following an attack by an explosive device on a vehicle of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) that also wounded 15 other peacekeepers, including six seriously.  The incident took place on a road north of Kidal in Northern Mali earlier today.

The Secretary-General condemns this incident, which is the latest in a series of attacks against United Nations personnel and contractors in the Kidal Region in the past week, including repeated mortar fire against the MINUSMA camp and another improvised explosive device (IED) attack against a MINUSMA vehicle that wounded nine Chadian peacekeepers on 29 August.

These attacks will not alter the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their search for peace.  The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers who were killed and wishes a full and speedy recovery to those injured.

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