United Nations Police (UNPOL) Officers from Benin serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and Malian National Guard Officer conduct daily joint patrols in the streets of Gao, to ensure general security, maintain order and offer protection of civilians. They are escorted by Formed Police Unit (FPU) from the Burkina Faso Contingent. Photo MINUSMA/Marco Dormino
By Gary Raynaldo -DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – Two UN peacekeepers from Burkina Faso were killed in the Timbuktu region of West African nation Mali, and eight others injured in an attack by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA, reported that Friday’s EID attack was then followed by direct small arms fire against a MINUSMA patrol 7 kilometers from the Mission’s base in Ber, in the Timbuktu region. The UN said the area of the attack is where extremists continue to operate. The first UN peacekeeper was killed Friday, and the other died Sunday from injuries sustained in the attack. The eight others wounded in the patrol sustained serious injuries, according to MINUSMA.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Burkina Faso. He wishes a speedy recovery to the eight injured. “
-Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General
The head of the MINUSMA in Mali, El-Ghassim WANE, described the attack as a “cowardly act”.
“This tragic loss is a stark reminder of the risks that our peacekeepers face while working tirelessly to bring stability and peace to the people of Mali”, he added.
“MINUSMA reaffirms its commitment to the people of Mali and its determination to continue its mission in supporting peace and stability in the country. The Mission will work closely with the Malian authorities to investigate the incident and bring the responsible individuals to justice.”
Mission In West Africa Nation Mali The Most Dangerous In The World For UN Peacekeepers
UN MINUSMA Peacekeeping operation in Africa / (credit: un.org)
MINUSMA is the most dangerous peace operations for peacekeepers. Since its establishment in Mali in 2013, nearly 300 peacekeepers have lost their lives in hostile acts.
TEN UN Peacekeepers Killed in Mali in 2023 Alone
The recent deaths marked the 10th just this year, in Mali – which has long been the most dangerous place to serve as a peacekeeper.
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. In 2012, Islamist radicals linked to al-Qaeda hijacked an uprising by ethnic Tuareg people and went on to seize cities across northern Mali, holding on for nearly a year until they were forced out by a French military intervention, according to the Washington Post. When the 11,000 U.N. troops arrived in 2013, they were meant to protect a fledgling peace deal and train the Malian army. But Islamist extremists regrouped across the region. It did not take long before the militants started targeting peacekeepers, whom they dubbed “Crusader occupation forces.”
