UN chief condemns attacks against peacekeeping mission in Mali

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned a series of attacks against UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, which killed one peacekeeper from Chad and injured eight others.

According to the UN, four different attacks targeting MINUSMA personnel and installations took place in Aguelhok, Kidal region of northern Mali, earlier on Monday.

Recalling that attacks on UN peacekeepers constituted war crimes, Ban called for swift action to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice, said a statement released by his spokesperson.

MINUSMA has become a frequent target of terrorist attacks in Mali. So far, the mission has lost more than 60 of its members, making it the deadliest active UN mission.

In May alone, a series of attacks directed against the mission killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more.

In late June, the UN Security Council decided to increase the force level of MINUSMA to counter the grave security situation provoked by armed groups in the country.

In the statement, Ban also urged all Malian parties to fulfill their obligations under the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, which tries to restore stability and security in the region.

The peace accord was signed in June 2015 by the Coordination des Mouvements de l'Azawad armed group, following its signature in May 2015 by the Malian government and a third party, the Plateforme coalition of armed groups.

The Malian government has been seeking to restore stability after a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup d'etat, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.

Source : XINHUA