New York- Members of the UN Security Council have urged the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to swiftly take appropriate steps to enhance safety of personnel of UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
The call is contained in a statement issued by the 15-member body on Saturday in New York.
In the statement, the Council condemned in the strongest terms, attacks on MINUSMA) camp in Kidal, Mali, which occurred on Saturday, which one Chadian peacekeeper was killed and others injured.
The members of the Security Council called on member states to enhance their support to MINUSMA in this regard, including providing technical expertise and logistic support needed.
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The members of the Security Council reiterated their support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and MINUSMA.
The Council said the call was to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country.
The members of the Security Council also urged the Malian parties to reach a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement without delay to help restore security in Mali.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed, as well as to the government and people of Chad and to MINUSMA.
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The Council also paid tribute to the Chadian peacekeepers for their sacrifices and continued efforts in MINUSMA and called on the government of Mali to investigate the attacks.
The Security Council said the attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
The Council members reiterated their full support to MINUSMA and French forces that support it.
In a related development, Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, strongly condemned the attack.
Ban in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Stephane DuJarric, said the incident followed other attacks against UN personnel and contractors in the Kidal and Gao Regions.
These include rocket attacks against MINUSMA camps and attacks against vehicles using mines and improvised explosive devices.
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“These attacks will not alter the determination of the UN support to the Malian people in its search for peace.
“This latest attack only highlights the urgency of reaching a political settlement to end the conflict and enable the full restoration of state authority across the entire Malian territory,’’he said.
Ban expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who was killed and his sympathies to the government and people of Chad, and wished those injured speedy recovery. (NAN)