Roundup: UN chief, Security Council slam terrorist attack on blue helmets in central Mali

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council on Sunday condemned a deadly terrorist attack in central Mali that killed five UN peacekeepers.

The five peacekeepers from Togo were killed and another one seriously injured when a UN convoy was ambushed by unknown assailants some 30 km west of Sevare, Mopti, in central Mali, according to preliminary reports.

The attack on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was "even more shocking" as it took place on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

"The secretary-general presents his heartfelt condolences to the families of the five peacekeepers who have died in the cause of peace and to the government and people of Togo," said Ban's spokesman in a statement. "He calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."

Ban "observes with sadness that this latest attack on MINUSMA has taken place on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, when the men and women serving under the United Nations flag with honor, courage and dedication are to be honored," the statement said.

"The secretary-general recalls, once again, that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law."

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on May 29, was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2003 to pay tribute to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

In a separate statement, the members of the Security Council condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack and expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government of Togo and MINUSMA.

"The members of the Security Council called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice," the statement said. "They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law."

They also reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it, the statement said.

They reiterated their strong support for the special representative of the secretary-general for Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, and for MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country.

The council statement further stressed the importance that MINUSMA has the necessary capacities to fully fulfil its mandate.

MINUSMA was established by the UN Security Council in April 2013. It is mandated to support the political process in the West African country and carry out a number of security-related stabilization tasks, with a focus on major population centers and lines of communication, and to protect civilians.

Since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012, its northern region has become a rebel stronghold.

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.

Despite initial security improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of 2014. An increase in incidents involving improvised explosive devices, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities. Endi