The France condemned this Friday, June 9 "in the strongest terms" the attack on a patrol of peacekeepers in northern Mali, which left one UN soldiers dead and eight wounded.
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The France deplores the multiplication of attacks against MINUSMA (UN mission in Mali, editor's note) and obstacles to its freedom of movement, "adds the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
"Tribute to the role of peacekeepers"
A Burkinabe peacekeeper was killed and eight others seriously wounded Friday in an attack near Timbuktu in northern Mali, a country plagued by jihadist spread and violence of all kinds. The France "once again pays tribute to the role of peacekeepers who risk their lives to protect populations" and "salutes their commitment and dedication," according to the statement from the Quai d'Orsay. "Those responsible for this attack must be identified and held accountable," he added.
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Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by a deep security crisis in the north that has spread to the centre of the country, neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. MINUSMA, with about 12,000 troops deployed, is a prime target for jihadists who target the foreign presence and symbols of the state. Since its creation in 2013, 186 of its members have died in hostile acts. It is the UN mission that has suffered the most casualties in the world in recent years.