U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday strongly condemned an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in northern Mali that killed a U.N. peacekeeper and injured six others. In a statement from his office, Ban extended his condolences to the family of the victim, as well as the government and people of Burkina Faso from where the peacekeeper hailed. He also wished a quick recovery to those injured. The blast occurred Monday roughly 30 kilometers west of Timbuktu. The U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) is in the area to protect civilians, support national political dialogue and reconciliation, and provide support to state authority. "This crime, committed against United Nations personnel as they carried out their mandate, will not diminish the resolve of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country," Ban said in reference to MINUSMA's mandate in Security Council resolution 2164.
