Peacekeepers under attack again in Mali, as one Egyptian blue helmet dies, another seriously injured

An explosive device (IED) detonated under a truck that was part of a logistics convoy from the UN Stabilization Mission in the country, MINUSMA, at around 3pm in the vicinity of Tessalit, in the Kidal region, said the mission.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, as well as to the people and Government of Egypt”, said the UN Spokesperson’s office. “He wishes a speedy and full recovery to the injured peacekeeper.”

The Malian Government has been seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012 that fractured the country, including a failed coup d’état, renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the short-lived seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.