Kathmandu, February 22. On Tuesday morning, a United Nations supply convoy vehicle struck a roadside explosive device near the village of Songobia in central Mali. 

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) confirmed that the supply convoy was heading to its base in Sévarén when it was hit by a planted improvised explosive device in Bandiagara.

MINUSMA reported that the brutal attack resulted in the deaths of three of its Senegalese peacekeepers and injuries to five more.

MINUSMA Chief El-Ghassim Wane condemned the attack and extended his deepest condolences to the families and coworkers of the fallen peacekeepers. “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 said.

Nepali Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Krishna Prasad Bhandari confirmed that Nepali peacekeepers were safe. “The areas where the Nepali peacekeepers were stationed were also safe,” Bhandari said.

Mali mission deadliest since nine years

Since the establishment of MINUSMA in 2013, 168 peacekeepers have lost their lives in various hostile acts.

The United Nations Staff Union reported in January that nearly half of the peacekeepers casualties in 2022 occurred in the mission in Mali. “For the ninth year in a row, the MINUSMA was the deadliest for peacekeepers.” Union said.

While addressing a video conference in December 2021, MINUSMA Chief El-Ghassim Wane said that improvised explosive devices were responsible for “50% of all events” that resulted in these deaths and injuries. 

Half of the fallen peackeepers died due to improvised explosives, says MINUSMA Chief

32 UN peacekeepers killed in 2022; Mali mission deadliest since nine years