Mali Attack Leaves UN Peacekeeper and Two Civilians Dead

Foreign forces in Mali have had a week of bloodshed, ending off in an attack on a military convoy yesterday where two Malian locals and a Peacekeeper from Togo were killed.

According to a UN statement, over 11 000 police and military are currently serving in Mali, in an attempt to keep the peace in lawless areas. These troops form The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, known more commonly as MINUSMA.

The attack ignited with the detonation of an explosive device. Soon after, attackers, who were not identified, opened fire on the convoy killing three and wounding seven other peacekeepers.

Malian police have said that they will launch an investigation into the deaths of the two civilians.

Over 30 MINUSMA troops were killed this year, topping the recorded deaths during UN peacekeeping missions.

Since its deployment in Mali in 2013, MINUSMA has suffered various failings. The UN has even admitted incidents of torture and sexual abuse by staff.

The deployment of these troops followed the occupation of Northern Mali by jihadists linked to al-Qaeda in early 2012. Although the jihadists were routed, large areas of Mali remain outside the control of domestic and foreign troops.