UNITED NATIONS, January 30 (Sputnik) — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched an investigation into the incident of three protesters killed in Mali, the UN said in a statement Thursday.
UN Secretary General "has decided to launch an inquiry to determine the facts surrounding this tragic incident," the UN said, adding that it "will collaborate with the Government of Mali and all parties on the ground in this effort."
The demonstration against establishment of a temporary security zone north of Gao town took place on January 27 in front of MINUSMA, UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, base in Gao town. The protesters were throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the mission's facility, hurting two UN Police officers. UN Police's respond with tear gas and warning shots, resulted in at least three people dead and eight injured.
Ban Ki-moon confirmed that the UN will continue to support stabilization of Mali. UN Secretary General expressed his deep concern over the continued fighting in many parts of the country, calling on all parties to abide by their ceasefire commitments to allow resumption of peace talks in Algiers, Algeria.
MINUSMA was established in Mali on April 25, 2013 to stabilize the country after the 2012 rebellion against the country's government and for northern Mali independence.
