Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Attack on Peacekeepers in Mali

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack perpetrated today against a police patrol of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Timbuktu town in northern Mali, during which two Nigerian peacekeepers were killed, including one woman, and four others injured.

The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.  The Secretary-General also extends his solidarity with Mali.  He 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 and swiftly bringing the perpetrators of these heinous attacks to justice.

The Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations continued support to, and solidarity with, the people of Mali.