Secretary-General Condemns Deadly Attacks against Peacekeeping Camps in Mali, Warning That Targeting United Nations Peacekeepers May Constitute War Crimes

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General condemns the attacks against camps of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Douenza and Timbuktu, in Mali.  A United Nations peacekeeper, a Malian soldier and a member of the Malian gendarmerie were killed, as were six Malian contractors.  A number of others were wounded.

The Secretary-General stresses that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.  He extends his condolences to the Government of Mali and to the families of the victims, and wishes swift recovery to those injured.

The Secretary-General commends the important efforts that Mali and the other countries of the Group of Five for the Sahel are devoting in combating terrorism and violent extremism and promoting peace and development in the region.