UN chief "deeply saddened" by killing of peacekeeper in Mali
Xinhua, September 15, 2014 Adjust font size:
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said that he "is deeply saddened" by the death of one Canadian peacekeeper following an attack on a military vehicle of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
The attack took place in the vicinity of Aguelhok, Kidal Region in the West African country, earlier Sunday. Four other peacekeepers were wounded during this incident.
"The secretary-general strongly condemns this attack, which follows another attack in the Kidal Region on 2 September that killed four peacekeepers and wounded others," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. The Sept. 2 attack, which happened on a road north of Kidal in northern Mali, killed four UN peacekeepers from Chad and wounded 15 others, including six seriously.
"These attacks will not alter the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their search for peace," the statement said.
Since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012, its northern region has served as a stronghold of the rebels.
The security situation in the region worsened after Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara's visit to the northern city of Kidal in May, which triggered conflicts between local armed forces and the military.
Mali is now in the process of restoring democracy with the help of the United Nations and African regional bodies, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS).
On April 25, 2013, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to approve a 12,600-strong MINUSMA to take over from the African-led mission in Mali on July 1, 2013 and authorized the blue helmets "to use all necessary means" to carry out security- related stabilization tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural artifacts, and facilitate humanitarian aid.
MINUSMA's core task is to support the political process in Mali, in close coordination with the African Union and the ECOWAS, according to the resolution.
