The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres released the following statement today:
The attacks allegedly carried out by extremist groups against numerous communities in the Bandiagara region of central Mali on June 18 and 19 apparently resulted in the deaths of at least 100 civilians, shocking and enraged the Secretary-General.
He is equally horrified by reports that dozens of civilians were also killed in other terrorist attacks in the Gao region as well as by the significant loss of life and livelihood in other parts of the country, including Ménaka, where tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee in recent weeks.
The Secretary-General sends his sincere condolences to the Mali people as well as the relatives of the deceased.
He strongly denounces these assaults and calls on the Malian authorities to look into them right now and prosecute those responsible.
The Secretary-General reiterates that the United Nations and its Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) are prepared to assist the Malian authorities in their efforts to restore peace and stability to the country.
He also urges on them to step up their efforts.