Dushanbe, 31.05.2016 (NIAT “Khovar”). – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned a deadly terrorist attack on UN peacekeepers in central Mali and called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Five peacekeepers from Togo were killed when they were ambushed by unknown assailants some 30 km west of Sevare, Mopti, according to preliminary reports.

«The secretary-general condemns the deadly attack that took place today in the Mopti region in Mali, against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA),» said Ban’s spokesman in a statement.

«The secretary-general presents his heartfelt condolences to the families of the five peacekeepers who have died in the cause of peace and to the government and people of Togo,» the statement said. «He calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.»

Ban «observes with sadness that this latest attack on MINUSMA has taken place on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, when the men and women serving under the United Nations flag with honor, courage and dedication are to be honored,» the statement said. «The secretary-general recalls, once again, that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.»

The secretary-general reiterated that the United Nations will continue to support the stabilization of Mali and the implementation of the peace agreement and expressed his full support to the Malian authorities in their fight against extremist groups, said the statement.

Earlier Sunday, MINUSMA condemned the killing of the five UN peacekeepers as a «heinous act of terrorism» which is even more shocking as it took place on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2003 to pay tribute to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

MINUSMA was established by the UN Security Council in April 2013. The mission is mandated to support the political process in the West African country and carry out a number of security-related stabilization tasks, with a focus on major population centers and lines of communication, and to protect civilians.

Since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012, its northern region has served as a rebel stronghold.

Mali is now in the process of restoring democracy with the help of the United Nations and African regional bodies, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

Despite initial security improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of 2014. An increase in incidents involving improvised explosive devices, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.