2nd Writethru LD: UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attack in north Mali

The UN Security Council on Wednesday "condemned in the strongest terms" a terrorist attack on Tuesday against the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Gao, North Mali, during which one Chinese peacekeeper was killed.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim, as well as to the government of the People's Republic of China and to MINUSMA," the 15-nation UN body said in a statement issued to the press here. "They paid tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives."

"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."

The attack took place at approximately 20:45 pm (local time) on Tuesday when the MINUSMA camp in the Water Tower neighborhood of Gao was the target of an attack by mortars or rockets, which also left four other Chinese peacekeepers injured.

Also on Wednesday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "is outraged by the terrorist attacks carried out yesterday in Gao, Mali, against the United Nations."

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the council statement said. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice."

"They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said. "They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts."

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it, the statement said, adding that 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, including through MINUSMA's support to the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their concern about the security situation in Mali," the statement said. "They noted that the full implementation of the Agreement and the intensification of efforts to overcome asymmetric threats can contribute to improving the security situation across Mali. They further stressed the importance that MINUSMA has the necessary capacities to fully fulfil its current mandate."

The latest deadly terrorist attack on UN peacekeepers in Mali was the second with a couple of days, in which five UN peacekeepers from Togo were killed.

MINUSMA was established by the UN Security Council on April 25, 2013. Under the relevant Security Council resolution, the UN mission 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 protecting civilians.

Since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012, its northern region has served as a stronghold of the rebels.

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).

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. Endit