Bamako, 21 February 2023 - Three MINUSMA peacekeepers lost their lives and five others were seriously injured this morning when their vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device in central Mali. The incident took place near the village of Songobia, 29 km southwest of the town of Bandiagara, as their supply convoy was en route to its base in Sévaré.

"I condemn this attack and offer my deepest condolences to the families and brothers-in-arms of the deceased peacekeepers," said MINUSMA Head of Mission El-Ghassim Wane. "This is another tragic illustration of the complexity of our operational environment and the sacrifices made by the international community for peace in Mali," he added. 

MINUSMA is one of the most dangerous peace operations for peacekeepers. Since its establishment in Mali in 2013, 168 peacekeepers have lost their lives in hostile acts.

While renewing MINUSMA's commitment to work for peace in Mali, Mr WANE recalled that attacks on peacekeepers can constitute war crimes under International Law. He stressed "the need to do everything possible to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of hostile acts against MINUSMA".