Mali: UN condemns explosion in northern Mali that left one peacekeeper dead, 6 injured
1 July 2014
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have strongly condemned an improvised explosive device explosion
in northern Mali which killed a United Nations peacekeeper and injured six other ‘blue helmets.’
In a statement issued yesterday through his spokesperson, Mr. Ban extended his deepest condolences to the family of the
victim, as well as the Government and people of Burkina Faso from where the peacekeeper hailed. He also wished a speedy
recovery to those injured.
The explosion occurred yesterday about 30 km west of Timbuktu. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission
(MINUSMA) is in the area to protect civilians, support national political dialogue and reconciliation, and provide
support to State authority.
“This crime, committed against United Nations personnel as they carried out their mandate, will not diminish the resolve
of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their
country,” Mr. Ban said in reference to MINUSMA’s mandate in Security Council resolution 2164 (2014).
Today, the members of the UN Security Council also condemned the incident while reiterating their full support to
MINUSMA and the French forces that support it. In a statement to the press, the Council stressed that those responsible
for the attack shall be held accountable, and called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate the attack and
bring the perpetrators to justice.
Despite initial improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of this year.
Recent violence, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has contributed to an overall sense of
insecurity that has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.
ENDS