Mali: Ban condemns attack on UN convoy that killed five peacekeepers

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned yesterday's deadly attack that killed five peacekeepers and injured three others of the UN mission in Mali, his spokesman said in a statement.

According to preliminary information, a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) hit an improvised explosive device and then came under fire by an unknown group of armed assailants about 15 kilometres north of Aguelhok, Kidal region. Those killed are Chadian peacekeepers.

Since the beginning of the year, a dozen attacks against the UN has been registered in Kidal region, resulting in the death of at least 12 of its personnel, including the latest victims.

According to the statement, Mr. Ban called for swift action to bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice and recalled that attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute war crimes under international law.

“The Secretary-General reiterates that the UN will continue to support the stabilization of Mali and the implementation of the peace agreement,” the statement said.