Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Attack against United Nations Peacekeepers in Mali

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the improvised explosive device attacks against a convoy of the United Nations Integrated Stabilization Mission for Mali (MINUSMA) near Aguelhok, Kidal region, that killed three peacekeepers from Chad and seriously injured four others.

The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the Government and people of Chad.  He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.  He calls on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of these attacks so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.

The Secretary-General reaffirms that such cowardly acts will not deter the United Nations from its resolve to continue supporting the people and Government of Mali in their pursuit of peace and stability.