Nigeria To Receive Remains Of Two Fallen UN Peacekeepers

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) will transport two Nigerian UN peacekeepers who were killed in Mali back to their home nation following a memorial service.

Their bodies would be brought to Nigeria following the ceremony, Benjamin Olafaju, Head of Chancery at the Nigeria Permanent Mission to the UN, in New York.

The memorial will be held at Parade Ground, MINUSMA headquarters, Bamako at 10.00am on Friday.

The UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric said that the Nigerian government would receive the bodies of the fallen peacekeepers after the ceremony.

“They will… soon after the memorial ceremony, they will be transported back to their home country, and then it will be up to the Nigerian military and the Nigerian Government to decide on the burial,’’ he said.

Earlier, through Dujarric, Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the attack on a UN police patrol in northern Mali on December 16, which resulted in the deaths of two Nigerian policemen.

In addition to the male and female peacekeepers that died in Timbuktu town earlier in the day, four additional blue helmets from MINUSMA were injured, according to Dujarric.

The statement said that attacks on UN peacekeepers "may constitute war crimes" under international law.

To "spare no effort in identifying and speedily bringing the perpetrators of these atrocious attacks to account," the UN chief urged the Malian authorities.

He extended his sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased, the Nigerian government, and the populace, and wished those who were hurt a swift recovery.

“The Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations continued support to, and solidarity with, the people of Mali,” Dujarric said.

Condemning the attack in "the harshest terms" and paying gratitude to "all peacekeepers who risk their lives," the Security Council released a statement at the same time.

With the aid of MINUSMA, they urged the Transitional Government of Mali to "swiftly investigate" the attack and foster accountability by bringing the attackers to justice.

The ambassadors urged Mali officials to inform the appropriate troop-contributing countries of the developments in accordance with the Security Council resolutions on the safety and security of peacekeepers (2518) and responsibility for any acts of violence against them (2589).

They underlined that involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers “constitutes a basis for sanctions”.

The statement went on to emphasise that host States are in charge of ensuring the security of UN personnel and the significance of communication between MINUSMA and Mali's Transitional Government.

Regardless of the reason, the Council emphasised that terrorism is "one of the most serious dangers to international peace and security" and is "criminal and unjustified."

The need to "bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these abhorrent acts of terrorism to account" was emphasised, along with the requirement that all States fight terrorism in conformity with international law and the UN Charter.

While reiterating its full support to MINUSMA and other security presences in the Sahel region, the Council expressed concern over the security situation in Mali and the transnational dimension of terrorism in the Sahel region.

They urged the Malian parties to fully implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali “without further delay”.

“Lasting peace and security in the Sahel region will not be achieved without a combination of political, security, peacebuilding and sustainable development efforts benefiting all regions of Mali, as well as the full, effective and inclusive implementation of the Agreement,” they said.

The Council further stressed the importance of MINUSMA having the necessary capacities to fulfil its mandate and promote the safety and security of the blue helmets.

These “heinous acts” will not undermine the peacekeepers determination to continue to support the peace and reconciliation process in Mali, the statement stated.