The incident occurred that morning close to the village of Songobia, in central Mali, as their provide convoy was heading to its base in Sévaré.

El-Ghassim Wane, the pinnacle of MINUSMA, condemned the assault and supplied his deepest condolences to the households and colleagues of the deceased peacekeepers.

“That is one other tragic illustration of the complexity of our operational setting and the sacrifices made by the worldwide group for peace in Mali,” he stated.

MINUSMA is likely one of the most harmful peace operations for “blue helmets”. Since its institution in 2013, 168 peacekeepers have misplaced their lives in hostile acts.

Whereas renewing MINUSMA’s dedication to work for peace in Mali, Mr Wane recalled that assaults on peacekeepers can represent battle crimes beneath Worldwide Regulation. 

He careworn “the necessity to do every part potential to establish and produce to justice the perpetrators of hostile acts in opposition to MINUSMA”.

Extra particulars to observe.