Mali: Inquiry team concludes probe into violent demonstration against peacekeepers in Gao

The high-level team appointed by the United Nations to investigate the events surrounding a violent demonstration against the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has concluded its visit to the African country, the UN spokesperson’s office confirmed today.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the investigation on 29 January to determine the facts surrounding the “tragic incident” which resulted in the death and injury of protesters in the northern city of Gao.

The Inquiry team – formed by three independent experts, Bacre Waly Ndiaye of Senegal (team leader), Ralph Zacklin of the United Kingdom and Mark Kroeker of the United States – spent eight days in Mali, meeting with national and regional authorities as well as representatives of MINUSMA, authorities from hospitals that received victims, protesters who were injured and the associations who organized the protests with the hope that they “could help shed light on the events.”

The three experts will now head to New York where they will present a preliminary report to the Secretary-General.