Investigation launched into ambush of UN peacekeepers in Mali


Bomb experts are examining the scene of an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in Mali to determine what kind of explosives was used, a senior UN official has confirmed.
Eight Nigerian peacekeepers travelling in the Gao region were wounded in the 4 January incident.

The situation in Northern Mali has deteriorated since 2013, with an increase in incidents involving explosive devices.
The severely wounded have been evacuated to Dakar in Senegal for further treatment, while others are recovering at a UN facility.

"We are in the process of checking actually, we deployed our technical experts to establish what sort of explosives was used. Was it a mine or was it just an IED? 
Unfortunately, the result of it was the injury of 8 Nigerian peacekeepers, three of whom were seriously injured and they have been evacuated to Dakar for medical treatment."

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

More than 30 peacekeepers have died since the mission opened.

Radhia Achouri, Spokesperson for the UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, has more in the attached audio.


SOURCE: Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.