Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Attack against Peacekeepers in Mali

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s attack against a logistic convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) that had been travelling from Tessalit to Aguelhok in the Kidal region.  The attack killed three peacekeepers from Chad and injured two others.

The Secretary-General conveys his sincere condolences to the Government of Chad, as well as his profound sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims.  He wishes a swift recovery to the wounded.

The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and calls for the perpetrators of this attack to be swiftly brought to justice.

The Secretary-General urges the Government and the signatory armed groups to accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement and reaffirms that such attacks will not affect the United Nations determination to support the Malian people in their quest for peace.