17 January 2015 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has today strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a UN base in the town of Kidal, which killed a Chadian peacekeeper and wounded four others.
“These attacks will not alter the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people in its search for peace,” said a statement released by the Spokesman for Secretary-General following the latest in a series of armed assaults against UN personnel and contractors in the Kidal and Gao Regions. “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.”
The Deputy Special Representative in Mali, Arnauld Akodjenou, echoed Mr. Ban's sentiments, stressing that the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) would remain determined to fulfil its Security Council mandate.
“Such violence against the UN peacekeeping forces is a serious crime and those responsible will be brought to justice,” he said.
In a press release, the Mission said the base was attacked shortly before 7.00 am, when a suicide vehicle was detonated near a MINUSMA checkpoint about a kilometre away, killing a peacekeeper and wounding another from the Chadian contingent.
A second vehicle then exploded at one of the base's entrances, while the camp was simultaneously bombarded with at least eight rockets or mortars, two of which landed inside the camp, causing significant damage.
Both the Secretary-General and the Mission offered condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who was killed, as well as their sympathies to the Government and people and Chad, and wished speedy recoveries to those injured.
MINUSMA's statement added that the Mission would continue monitoring developments in close cooperation with Malian security forces and Forces working under Operation Barkhane, saying it would support regional and local authorities in their response to the attack, in line with its mandate to protect populations
The Mission also reiterated its urgent appeal for all parties to stick resolutely to the path of dialogue in the search for lasting peace in the country.
