January 16th local time, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres issued a statement through his spokesman, strongly condemning the attack on a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali near a village and town in the Kidal region of Mali on January 15, which resulted in the death of one Egyptian peacekeeper and the serious suffering of another Injury.
In his statement, Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and government of Egypt.
He hopes that the injured peacekeepers will recover as soon as possible.
Guterres stressed that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.
The United Nations will spare no effort to support the Malian authorities in identifying and promptly bringing to justice the perpetrators of the attack.
In 2012, terrorist organizations took control of major towns in the northern part of the country.
The following year, MINUSMA was proclaimed. Since then, thanks to the efforts of the United Nations mission, the national security forces and international partners, the security situation in Mali has improved.
However, attacks against civilians and peacekeepers have continued, and MINUSMA remains the most dangerous peacekeeping operation of the United Nations.
As of December 2020, 231 civilian and uniformed personnel of MINUSMA had died in the line of duty, of which 134 died in malicious acts and 358 were seriously injured.
Just three days ago, four MINUSMA peacekeepers were killed in an attack by unidentified armed elements, and five others were injured.
