in one statement made on FridayStéphane Dujarric said in addition to the deaths of male and female peacekeepers in the town of Timbuktu earlier in the day, four other blue helmets from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (APART FROM) is injured.
War criminals can
Attacks on UN peacekeepers “could constitute a war crime” under international law, the statement continued.
The head of the United Nations called on the Mali authorities to “make every effort to identify and quickly bring the perpetrators of these heinous attacks to justice“.
He extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Government and people of Nigeria and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that the United Nations continues to support and stand in solidarity with the people of Mali,” Dujarric said.
Call for transitional government
At the same time, the Security Council issued a statement condemning the attack “in the strongest terms” and paying tribute to “all the peacekeepers who risked their lives”.
They called on Mali’s Transitional Government to “quickly investigate” the attack with the support of MINUSMA and promote accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The ambassadors reminded Malian officials to inform the relevant military-contributing country of progress in line with Security Council resolutions on the safety and security of peacekeepers (2518) ) and accountability for any acts of violence against them (2589).
They stressed that participation in planning, directing, financing or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers “forms the basis for sanctions.”
A member of the Search and Detection Team serving on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali surveys a road in Menaka in the northeast of Mali.
counter terrorist
The statement further emphasized the importance of communication between MINUSMA and the Transitional Government of Mali.
The Council reaffirmed that terrorism constitutes “one of the most serious threats to international peace and security”, describing it as “criminal and inexcusable”, regardless of its actions. What is muscle.
They stressed the need to “bring the perpetrators, organizers, sponsors and sponsors of these condemnable acts of terrorism to justice” and demanded that all countries must against terrorism under the Convention. uncharted and international law.
Extended Sahel region
While reiterating its full support for MINUSMA and other security agencies in the Sahel region, the Council expressed concern about the security situation in Mali and the transnational scale of terrorism. in the Sahel region.
They called on the Malian parties to fully implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali “without further delay”.
Long-term peace and security in the Sahel region cannot be achieved without a combination of political, security, peace-building and sustainable development efforts that benefit the region, they said. all regions of Mali, as well as the full, effective and comprehensive implementation of the Agreement”.
Senegalese peacekeepers serving with MINUSMA ensure the route their convoy must take to Ogoussagou to ensure the safety of their personnel.
Side by side with Mali
The Council further emphasized the importance of MINUSMA having the necessary competence to fulfill its mission and promote the safety and security of green helmets.
These “atrocities” will not weaken the peacekeepers’ resolve to continue to support the peace and reconciliation process in Mali, the statement concluded.
Friends in need
The day before the attack, a new A group of friends promoting accountability for crimes against peacekeepers initiative is show at United Nations Headquarters in New York to improve the safety and security of green helmets.
During the event, peace operations director Jean-Pierre Lacroix remind that Mali is one of three countries that have suffered 84% of all peacekeeping deaths since 2013.
He also drew attention to four MINUSMA employees from Chad who were killed on 10 October using an improvised explosive device in Tessalit, Kidal Region.
