Secretary-General Outraged by Deadly Attack on UN Stabilization Mission in Mali, Reminds All Parties of Need to Prevent Attacks against Peacekeepers

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

The Secretary-General is outraged by today’s attack that took place in Mali and that killed one Senegalese peacekeeper and wounded another.

In this second attack in five days against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), unidentified assailants launched approximately six explosive rounds towards the Mission’s camp in Kidal.  This attack brings the total number of casualties from hostile acts since 1 July 2013 to 31 peacekeepers killed and 91 peacekeepers wounded.

On the eve of the Security Council’s consideration of the situation in Mali, the Secretary-General reminds all parties of their responsibility to prevent attacks against United Nations peacekeepers.  He underscores that a political solution is the only way to bring sustainable peace and stability to Mali.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper as well as to the Government and people of Senegal and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.