UNSC slams attack on UN peacekeepers in Mali

The UN Security Council has condemned "in the strongest terms" an attack on a military vehicle in Mali, in which one Chadian UN peacekeeper was killed and four others injured.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to MINUSMA (the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali) and French forces that support it," said the 15-nation UN body in a statement issued to the press here Sunday.

"The members of the Security Council called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable," it said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the attack, which took place earlier Sunday in the vicinity of Aguelhok in the Kidal region of the West African country, Xinhua reported.

The incident followed another attack Sep 2 on a road north of Kidal in northern Mali, in which four UN peacekeepers from Chad were killed and 15 others wounded, including six seriously.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council reminded states that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law," the statement said.

The Security Council reiterated its support for MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, as mandated by the Security Council resolution adopted early this year, the statement said.

MINUSMA's core task is to support the political process in Mali, in close coordination with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Since a military coup Mali in March 2012, its northern region has served as a stronghold of the rebels.

The security situation in the region worsened after Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara's visit to the northern city of Kidal in May, which triggered conflicts between local armed forces and the military.

Mali is now in the process of restoring democracy with the help of the UN and African regional bodies, including the African Union and the ECOWAS.

On April 25, 2013, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to approve a 12,600-strong MINUSMA to take over from the African-led mission in Mali July 1, 2013 and authorised the Blue Helmets "to use all necessary means" to carry out security-related stabilisation tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural artifacts, and facilitate humanitarian aid.