Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack against United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Mali

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Matthew Rycroft (United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack which targeted this morning the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Kidal, during which two peacekeepers from Guinea and a contractor from Burkina Faso were killed, and others injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, to the Governments of Guinea and Burkina Faso, as well as to the Government of Mali.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable.  The members of the Security Council underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it.  They reiterated their strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mongi Hamdi, and for MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, including through MINUSMA’s support to the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, and paid tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives in this respect.