SG/SM/17367-AFR/3278-PKO/545

Outraged by Deadly Attack on Mali Peacekeepers, Secretary-General Says Incident Will Not Deter Mission in Efforts to Bring Peace, Stability

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

The Secretary-General is outraged by the deadly attack against a camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Kidal that claimed the lives of two United Nations peacekeepers and one civilian contractor.  Twenty peacekeepers and civilian personnel were injured, including four seriously.  MINUSMA has taken immediate steps to assist the wounded and continues to strengthen the safety and security of its personnel.

The Secretary-General conveys his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to the Governments of Burkina Faso and Guinea.  He expresses his profound sympathy and support to those wounded and wishes them a speedy recovery.

The Secretary-General reiterates that these asymmetric attacks against the Mission will not impede the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian Government, the signatory parties to the peace agreement, and the people of Mali, in their efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The Secretary-General stresses the urgent need to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice and reiterates that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

For information media. Not an official record.