A Chinese UN peacekeeper was killed by rocket fire at the UN camp in Gao, Mali, on Tuesday, while many others were wounded in the attack. Shortly after, the UN reported that three members of the its mine-defusing agency – two Malian security guards and an international expert- were attacked and killed. The terrorist group, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has claimed responsibility for the attack. AQIM has masterminded several attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast claimed, on social media, that it fought the “crusader occupation forces.”
The UN peacekeepers appear to be the primary target in Mali this period, as five Togolese peacekeepers were killed on Sunday, prior to the most recent attack. Mali, which has been under siege by rebel groups and terrorists, received the MINUSMA forces in 2013. The primary mandate of the peacekeepers is to support and monitor the implementation of ceasefire agreements between the Malian government and the rebel groups. However, this may turn out to be the UN’s deadliest mission yet, because since their arrival in Mali, 60 peacekeepers have been killed so far.
While the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has asked the Security Council to add over 2,500 peacekeepers to the MINUSMA team, there is a broader issue, as to the security measures put in place to ensure the safety of these peacekeepers. In recent times, the UN has been under increasing pressure from troop-contributing countries to stage reprisal attacks on terrorists. But, the international body has been cautious about delving into “counter terrorism operations” as a way out.
In light of the frequency of attacks on the UN peacekeepers in the past few days, Moon noted the need to establish transnational organised crime and counter terrorism units. “It remains critical that MINUSMA urgently address outstanding gaps in force requirements, enhance its capabilities, including intelligence and use of technologies and continue to adjust its posture to be responsive to the deteriorating security situation,” Moon said.
