For about an hour, the convoy came under direct fire from suspected members of a terrorist group that used small arms and rocket launchers.
Four Jordanian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMAwere wounded in the attack, one of them died of his own wounds after being evacuated.
Under constant threat
The mission reported that the attack was fifth incident occurred in the Kidal region in only a weekUnited Nations Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.
“It is a tragic reminder of the complexity of the mission of the UN Mission and of peacekeepers and of the threats that peacekeepers face every day,” he said. day.
While an official UN statement was being released, Mr Dujarric said the Secretary-General denounced the attack.
Condolences and pledges
The head of the United Nations sent his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper, as well as to the people and Government of Jordan. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Mali, El Ghassim Wane, underlined that despite the difficulties, MINUSMA still determined to support Mali’s people and Government in their quest for peace and security.
“I strongly condemn this attack, which is part of a desperate attempt by terrorist groups to hinder the peace mission in Mali and the MINUSMA’s mission,” he said in a statement. translated from French.
Violation of the right to increase
MINUSMA this week released its quarterly human rights report showing that 812 cases Violation and abuse cases were recorded in the first three months of the year.
The figure represents 150% increase compared to the previous quarter.
The Malian Armed Forces have increased their military operations to combat terrorism, with regular support from foreign military elements.
Some of these activities have led to serious allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, according to the report.
Overall, about 320 breaches were committed by Malian defense and security forces, compared with 31 in the final quarter of 2021.
Visit of the relief team leader
Meanwhile, the head of UN aid, Martin Griffiths, was in Mali this week to draw attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation there and the need for more assistance.
People are reeling from the effects of years of conflict, deep poverty, climate shocks and growing insecurity.
Currently, 5.7 million people need humanitarian assistance and 4.8 million do not have enough food.
Furthermore, an estimated 1.8 million people will be severely food insecure during the lean season from June to August this year.
Resilience in adversity
During his four-day visit, Mr. Griffiths met with the Transitional Government in the capital, Bamako.
He also went to Mopti, in the center of the country – one of the areas where Islamist rebels have been active for years after the failed coup – and met internally displaced people in the village of Socoura.
“Extraordinarily resilient women have shared with me the struggles they face,” he says. “Some have lost their husbands to violence and are at risk of running away from home. With the help of local communities, authorities and humanitarian partners, some have now been able to stand on their own again, for example by running small businesses.”
United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, OCHAreport that The crisis in the Central Sahel is rapidly worseningwith more than 13 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in need of assistance.
Mr Griffiths concluded his mission to Mali on Tuesday, marking his first visit to the region since being appointed a year ago.
While still concerned about the impact the crisis will have on millions of people, he stressed that there is also “hope to turn this around, by building on the enormous potential of young people, the way traditional way to mediate conflicts through dialogue and bring peace to national Malians.”
