A peacekeeper with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has been killed and three others seriously injured after an improvised explosive device exploded in the northeast part of the country.
El-Ghassim Wane, the head of the UN mission, announced Saturday on Twitter that a MINUSMA vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near Tessalit of the Kidal region.
“The death toll is one and three serious injuries… This reminds us of the ongoing danger to our peacekeepers and the sacrifices made for peace in Mali,” Wane tweeted.
In recent weeks, the UN mission has been the target of several attacks in northern Mali. On September 11, three MINUSMA peacekeepers were injured by an explosive device near its camp in Kidal.
Since 2012, Mali has been facing a multifaceted crisis at the security, political and economic levels.
The separatist insurgencies, then the jihadist incursions and the inter-communal violence left thousands of people dead and thousands of others displaced.
These are happening despite the presence of the UN, African and European forces in the country.