Egyptian peacekeeper killed in terrorist attack in Mali, UN Secretary-General offers condolences

CAIRO – 17 October 2020: An Egyptian peacekeeper in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was killed after an explosive device hit a mission vehicle in Kidal town, northern Mali, on Thursday.

 

The attack also caused severe injuries to another peacekeeper at the mission. coincidently, another Burkinabe peacekeeper was killed in a second attack against a mission camp in the Timbuktu region.

 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks, offering his condolences to the peoples and governments of Egypt and Mali, according to a statement from the UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

 

“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He calls on the Malian authorities to take urgent steps to apprehend and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice”, said Stéphane Dujarric.

 

MINUSMA Force Commander Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre voiced his deep sadness for the loss of the peacekeepers.

 

I am deeply saddened by the death of one of our brave peacekeepers yesterday in the vicinity of #Kidal. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, his wounded comrade as well as his brothers and sisters in arms. Our determination to pursue our missions remains unshakeable. https://t.co/9mR3feF8vh

— Dennis Gyllensporre (@Gyllensporre) October 16, 2020

 

In November 2017: An Egyptian UN peacekeeper was reportedly murdered by the Anti-balaka militants in Gambo, Bangassou, Central African Republic. More than one hundred civilians and three Moroccan soldiers affiliated with UN peacekeeping forces were reportedly killed by the Anti-balaka militants in Central Africa between May and July 2017.

 

It was reported in the 2017 that Egypt ranked third in the United Nations peacekeeping operations’ largest contributing countries for the current period, according to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). 

 

A total of 729 Egyptian officers and police personnel serve in U.N. peacekeeping operations in various countries, as announced by the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

 

Egypt preserves a leading role in maintaining and strengthening international peace and security in line with the U.N. Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

 

Last month, Egypt inaugurated the new headquarters of Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), which is set to help enhance the center's ability to perform its duties and implement its programs.