MINUSMA denounces the third attack in less than a week against a UN convoy in Mali

Dujarric says this attack is “another dark reminder of the risks that mission members face every day.”

20 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) denounced this Wednesday the third attack against one of its convoys in less than a week.

“Another MINUSMA convoy has collided with a mine 53 kilometers northeast of the town of Douentza, causing damage to a fuel tanker vehicle,” reads a statement from the mission.

MINUSMA, which has added that “fortunately there have been no casualties,” has noted that this attack with an improvised explosive device “marks the third incident in just five days in the central region.”

In this sense, the spokesman for the United Nations General Secretariat, Stéphane Dujarric, has considered that this attack is “another dark reminder of the risks faced every day” by the members of the mission in the African country.

Dujarric explained that the previous day an improvised explosive device was used against a logistics convoy traveling to the same region, Douentza, in which two members of the mission were injured.

“Both are in stable condition. We wish them, of course, a speedy recovery. After the attack, an explosive disposal team carried out an investigation, which allowed the convoy to resume its march,” he declared at a press conference. the spokesperson.

In this sense, it has warned of the “high risk” on the region’s roads due to the “high number of security incidents” due to the presence of explosive devices and the constant attacks in the villages.

Tensions in Mali have increased in recent months between the military junta established after the coups of August 2020 and May 2021 and the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP, according to its French acronym) — which integrates former Tuareg rebels and members of pro-government militias– amid increased insecurity due to attacks by jihadist groups.