UN peacekeeper dies after vehicle strikes landmine in Mali

A United Nations peacekeeper has died in northern Mali after his vehicle struck a mine, the UN Mission in Mali said on Saturday in a statement.

The peacekeeping mission’s tanker truck, which was part of a logistics convoy, drove over the mine near the town of Tessalit in the Kidal region, on Friday, the MINUSMA Head, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said.

The second of the two peacekeepers in the vehicle was seriously injured, according to  Annadif.

While securing the site of the incident, peacekeepers detected a second explosive device and neutralised it, he added.

Mali’s centre and north have experienced regular flare-ups of violent attacks following a 2012 military coup that saw separatist rebel groups and later al-Qaeda-associated militants take control of the region.

French and African military operations, alongside the Malian Army’s efforts scattered militants and restored government control over the area.

Rebel activities and military operations have, however, continued in some areas in spite of signing of various peace agreements.

MINUSMA is supporting the Malian Army and France’s Operation Barkhane in securing the volatile region. (dpa/NAN)