Mali: UN condems attack against Mission base that kills five peacekeepers

12 February 2016 - Top United Nations officials have condemned the attack this morning against a UN camp in Kidal, in the north-eastern region of the country, which killed at least five peacekeepers and wounded 30 others.

In a statement attributable to the spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Mali, the Secretary-General underscored that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers constitute war crimes under international law, and called for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice.

According to reports, at 7 a.m. this morning, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) camp in the northern region of the country was the target of a "complex attack."

"The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks against MINUSMA will not weaken the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian Government, the parties to the peace agreement, and the people of Mali, in their efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability," the spokesperson said.

The Secretary-General also conveyed his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to the Governments of those concerned, and expressed profound sympathy and support to those wounded, with wishes for a speedy recovery.

Earlier today, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Mali said he was "outraged" by the attack.

"My duty, on behalf of the Secretary-General, is to express our outrage over this hateful and irresponsible act occurring a week after the local arrangements between the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA) and Platform, and 48 hours after my visit to Kidal," said Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Mali in a press release.

Also expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims, Mr. Annadif emphasized that the "serious act" reflects "the disarray of the enemies of peace," since it comes at a time when the implementation of the peace agreement increasingly becomes a reality in Mali.

This past June, a peace agreement was signed by the CMA, following its signature in May 2015 by the Government and a third party, the Platform coalition of armed groups.

The Government of Mali, with the support of MINUSMA as well as UN agencies and programmes, has been seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup d'état, and renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels.