Outraged by Killing of Nine Peacekeepers in Mali, Secretary-General Insists All Parties Demonstrate Good Faith, Commitment to Political Solution

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon:

The Secretary-General is shocked and outraged by today’s attack in Mali that killed nine Nigerien peacekeepers.

In the deadliest attack committed against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to date, a MINUSMA convoy travelling from Ménaka to Ansongo (Gao region) was ambushed this morning.  This attack brings the total number of casualties from hostile acts since the beginning of the Mission on 1 July 2013 to 30 peacekeepers killed and 90 peacekeepers wounded.

The Secretary-General underscores that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of international law.  He reminds the armed groups operating inNorthern Mali of their commitment to cooperate with the United Nations to prevent attacks against peacekeepers in line with their declaration of 16 September in Algiers.  At a time when peace negotiations are under way, he insists that all parties must demonstrate good faith and commitment to a political solution and that the perpetrators of these appalling actions are brought to justice.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers who were killed as well as to the Government and people of Niger.  He assures the people of Mali of the United Nations steadfast support to their search for peace.