UN / MALI ATTACK

A convoy from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) came under direct attack from unidentified armed individuals, while it was en route from Gao to Ménaka on Tuesday, a UN Spokesperson said. UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:18
• Production Date: 23 August 2023
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MULTIDIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED STABILIZATION MISSION IN MALI - MINUSMA
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
• Geographic Subject: MALI
• MAMS Id: 3082420
• Parent Id: 3082420
• Alternate Title: unifeed230823e

Description

STORY: UN / MALI ATTACK
TRT: 1:18
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 23 AUGUST 2023, NEW YORK CITY / RECENT

Shotlist

RECENT – NEW YORK CITY

1.Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters

23 AUGUST 2023, NEW YORK CITY

2.Wide shot, briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Turning to Mali, our peacekeeping colleagues tell us that yesterday a MINUSMA convoy came under direct attack from unidentified armed individuals, while it was en route from Gao to Ménaka. The armed assailants fired shots from a distance at the convoy before retreating. Fortunately, there were no casualties among peacekeepers, and the convoy, which was supporting the withdrawal of the Mission, reached its destination without any further issue. This is the second such incident in a week of this nature.
This latest attack is another reminder of the challenges the Mission faces, as it withdraws from the country, at the request of the Malian authorities and pursuant to Council resolution 2690 (2023). The Mission is nearing the completion of implementing Phase 1 of its withdrawal plan, which entails the closure and handover of the farthest and smaller bases to the Transition Government. Over the past weeks, the Mission has closed bases in Ogossagou, Ber and Goundam, with Ménaka to follow next. And as we said before, the safety of our peacekeepers will remain a priority throughout this process.”
4. Wide shot, briefing room

Storyline

A convoy from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) came under direct attack from unidentified armed individuals, while it was en route from Gao to Ménaka on Tuesday (22 Aug), a UN Spokesperson said.

Speaking to reporters today (23 Aug) in New York, UN Associate Spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez said, “The armed assailants fired shots from a distance at the convoy before retreating. Fortunately, there were no casualties among peacekeepers, and the convoy, which was supporting the withdrawal of the Mission, reached its destination without any further issue.”

Nino-Martinez continued, “This is the second such incident in a week of this nature,” adding that “this latest attack is another reminder of the challenges the Mission faces, as it withdraws from the country, at the request of the Malian authorities and pursuant to Council resolution 2690 (2023).”

The Associate Spokesperson also said, “The Mission is nearing the completion of implementing Phase 1 of its withdrawal plan, which entails the closure and handover of the farthest and smaller bases to the Transition Government.”

She added, “Over the past weeks, the Mission has closed bases in Ogossagou, Ber and Goundam, with Ménaka to follow next.”

Nino-Martinez concluded, “the safety of our peacekeepers will remain a priority throughout this process.”