UN peacekeeper killed in Mali mine explosion

A UN peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded when a mine exploded as their convoy passed through central Mali, the UN mission in the country said.

The blast hit part of the Egyptian contingent of the UN force close to the Burkina Faso border on Saturday, the UN stabilisation mission in Mali (MINUSMA) said.

The peacekeeper killed was Egyptian. One attacker was killed, according to a security source.

MINUSMA chief Mahamat Saleh Annadif called it a "cowardly attack."
UN chief Antonio Guterres's office issued a statement saying the UN peacekeepers "responded, killing an assailant and apprehending eight others". He urged Malian authorities "to take swift action to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice."