UN slams deadly terrorist attacks in north Mali

The UN Security Council on Wednesday “condemned in the strongest terms” a terrorist attack against the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Gao, North Mali, during which four UN peacekeeper and staff members, including one Chinese peacekeeper, were killed.

The attack took place at approximately 20:45 (local time) Tuesday when the MINUSMA camp in the Water Tower neighborhood of Gao was the target of an attack by mortars or rockets, which also left four other Chinese peacekeepers injured.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “is outraged by the terrorist attacks carried out yesterday in Gao, Mali, against the United Nations.”

“The Secretary-General is outraged by the terrorist attacks carried out yesterday in Gao, Mali, against the United Nations. According to preliminary reports, one peacekeeper from China was killed and a dozen UN personnel were injured when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at a UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission camp in Mali. In a separate incident, one civilian contractor from France and two security guards from Mali were killed when the camp of a UN contractor, in another area of Gao, was attacked by unknown assailants,” said Dujarric.

He said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges the government of Mali to expeditiously investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“He also calls on the people of Mali to provide information on the attacks to the authorities. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of China, France and Mali. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. The Secretary-General reiterates that the UN will continue to support the peace agreement and stabilization of Mali,” Dujarric said.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim, as well as to the government of the People’s Republic of China and to MINUSMA.