MINUSMA strongly condemns the cowardly terrorist attacks against the Malian Armed Forces and Security Forces by unidentified gunmen in the centre and north of the country. The first attack targeted the Malian Armed Forces on 1 August with an ambush on the road between Diabaly and Nampala, at 6 km from Toulé, in the community of Nampala in the Ségou region. The second attack was carried out early this morning against a unit of the National Guard based in Gourma Rharous, located about 120 km east of the city of Timbuktu.

MINUSMA extends its condolences to the Government and to the Malian Armed Forces and Security Forces, as well as to the families of the victims. The Mission wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

MINUSMA once again stresses the urgent need to advance the peace process to ensure that the Government and the stakeholders work and act together, with the support of the population, to ward off the terrorist challenge that threatens Mali and its people.