UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations peace mission convoy was again hit by improvised explosive devices again over the weekend of in Mali, injuring 22 more peacekeepers while withdrawing from the country, a spokesperson said on Monday.
Dozens of MINUSMA vehicles left the town of Kidal in Mali’s northeast on October 31, but have yet to reach to Gao, another strategic town about 350 kilometers away.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, told reporters on Monday that on Saturday, the convoy encountered two other improvised explosive devices near the town of Anefis.
He said that 22 peacekeepers had to be airlifted to receive immediate medical treatment in Gao. He added that it is the sixth such incident since the convoy left Kidal.
Earlier on November 1, eight peacekeepers were injured and evacuated while another seven were also injured last Friday due to other improvised explosive devices.
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The spokesman added Malian authorities have also permitted flights to provide the convoy with water, fuel rations and other basic items.
The country’s military rulers, who seized power in June, 2020 had demanded the withdrawal of the mission from Mali, despite being in the grip of raging crises.
Withdrawal process to be completed by December 31
The withdrawal process is due to be completed by December 31. Kidal was the third and last MINUSMA camp to be evacuated in the region.
Through the final departure from Kidal was planned for the second half of November, but the deterioration in security forced MINUSMA to accelerate its withdrawal.
Meanwhile a Tuareg-dominated coalition of armed groups that recently relaunched a rebellion against the state have taken over the Kidal camp after MINUSMA left.
