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Attack On Peacekeepers In Mali Strongly Condemned By The UN

UN MINUSMA soldiers patrolling UN MINUSMA soldiers patrolling MINUSMA/Marco Dormino

9 april, 2018

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the attack on a peacekeeper from Niger who was shot dead by belligerent militants in Gao, Northern Mali.

The country which is seeking to find a peace accord to end its military and political crisis is currently dealing with an increase in violence. With a second attack just two days after the peacekeeper’s death. the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) became one of the most dangerous operations. Since 2013, more than 150 ‘blue helmet’ soldiers have died and more than 100 were in gunfights, resulting in one of the deadliest death tolls for this mission to date. The Security Council reiterated the importance for governments intensely combating the threats to International peace and security.

Early in the morning on Friday 6th of April, two unidentified gunmen opened fire on a MINUSMA vehicle in Gao a city located in the north of the country. One Nigerian peacekeeper soldier was fatally injured and succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the security council expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the victims while condemning the attack. In addition, they said peacekeepers risk their lives every day for the population and any attack against or toward them may be qualified as a war crime under International Law. They also stressed that any involvement in planning, sponsoring or perpetrating attacks against MINUSMA forces will give rise to investigations and sanctions pursuant to the Security Council resolutions.

The current measures and means to fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime will be strengthened by reinforcing the commitment of the UN to support the Malian Administration in security and peacebuilding. The fight against insecurity will continue to strengthen the Rule of Law until the region is safe and secure.

 

To know more please read:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1006712

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1006792

https://www.firstpost.com/world/un-peacekeeper-shot-dead-in-northern-mali-as-attack-on-blue-helmets-continues-in-conflict-torn-country-4421727.html

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/mali

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1003831

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