UN Security Council condemns attacks against peacekeepers in Mali

UN Security Council condemns attacks against peacekeepers in Mali.

UN Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated against UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

The MINUSMA convoy hit an improvised explosive device in the north of Mopti on Monday, killing at least two peacekeepers from Egypt, and wounding four others.

“The members of the Security Council called on the transitional Government of Mali to swiftly investigate the attack against peacekeepers and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“They underlined those attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law,’’ the Council said in a statement.

The Council stressed that involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

They underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.

They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The Security Council also reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the UN and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council, however, expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to Egypt and to MINUSMA.

They wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

They paid tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives.

The members of the Security Council also expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims of the Malian soldiers who were killed during attacks in the past days and to Mali.

In a separate attack on Monday on government forces, at least two soldiers died in the northern region of Gao, just three days after another clash with insurgents left 27 dead, and 32 wounded, according to news reports.

No fewer than 250 UN peacekeepers have died since 2013.

in addition, the members of the Security Council expressed their concern about the security situation in Mali and the transnational dimension of the terrorist threat in the Sahel region.

They urged the Malian parties to fully implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali (“the Agreement”) without further delay.

They noted that the full implementation of the Agreement and the intensification of efforts to overcome asymmetric threats can contribute to improving the security situation across Mali.

They also  underlined that the efforts of the Force Conjointe of the G5 Sahel to counter the activities of terrorist groups and other organized criminal groups will contribute to create a more secure environment in the Sahel region.

The members of the Security Council further stressed the importance of MINUSMA having the necessary capacities to fulfil its mandate and promote the safety and security of the United Nations peacekeepers, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2584 of 2021.