Secretary-General condemns attack resulting in death of UN peacekeepers in Mali

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s suicide attack by unknown assailants on a checkpoint of the United Nations mission in Mali in which a number of Chadian peacekeepers have been killed and injured.

“The Secretary-General offers his condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and wishes a swift recovery to those wounded,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

The Security Council set up the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in April to support the West African country’s recovery from a coup and the occupation of its north by Islamist fundamentalists, its transition back to stability and democratic governance, and the promotion of human rights and provision of humanitarian aid.

“This attack will not deter the determination of the United Nations to support the restoration of security, stability and sustainable peace in Mali,” the statement noted.

It appears that there are also a number of civilian casualties in today’s attack, which occurred in Tessalit in the Kidal region, according to the statement.