Attackers killed one UN peacekeeper and seriously injured eight others on Friday in Mali's northern Timbuktu region, an area where extremists continue to operate," the United Nations confirmed. The peacekeepers, all from Burkina Faso, were part of a security patrol that was targeted first by an improvised explosive device and then by direct small arms fire seven kilometers (four miles) from their base in the town of Ber, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
"The UN Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, El-Ghassim Wane, strongly condemned the attack," stated Dujarric. Secretary-General Guterres called on Mali's transitional authorities to identify the perpetrators of the attack swiftly, emphasizing that "attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law."
The Security Council also emphasized the need for a prompt investigation and accountability, highlighting that attacking peacekeepers may not only be a war crime but also result in sanctions for those involved in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting such attacks.
"Mali has faced destabilizing attacks by armed extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group since 2013," the news report outlined. The country has been under the rule of a military junta since a coup in 2020, and the presence of mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group further complicated the situation following the withdrawal of French and European partners engaged in the fight against extremists in Mali's north in 2021.
Expressing concern about Mali's security situation, the UN Security Council urged all parties to fully implement a 2015 peace agreement. In April, the United States warned Mali's military government that the deployment of over 15,000 UN peacekeepers could be at risk unless the nation lifted restrictions and fulfilled political commitments for peace and scheduled elections.
As the UN Security Council considers the future of the peacekeeping mission in Mali, Secretary-General Guterres presented three options: increasing its size, reducing its footprint, or transforming it into a political mission. The current mandate of the mission is set to expire on June 30.
"The tragic loss is a stark reminder of the risks that peacekeepers in Mali and other places around the world face while tirelessly working to bring stability and peace," said Dujarric, paying tribute to the dedication and courage of peacekeepers in challenging circumstances.
(With AP Inputs)
