Security Council condemns terrorist attack in Mali that killed UN personnel

7 March 2015 – The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that took place today in Bamako, Mali, which killed five civilians and caused many injuries.

Among the dead were personnel of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in mali (MINUSMA) and the European Union and members of the Council expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and to the Governments of Mali, Belgium, and France.

Members called on the Government of mali &#8220to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice,&#8221 and stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable, reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

They also reaffirmed that acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, reminding States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The Council also reiterated its support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2164 (2014).

Source: UN News Centre – Africa