United States Condemns Attack in Mali

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The United States has strongly condemned what it called the “cowardly attack” on a military camp in Gao, Mali, that houses government forces and members of the primary armed groups that signed the Malian peace accord.

In a statement issued today, the US said, “We are aware of reports that the attack was engineered by a suicide bomber using a truck filled with explosives.”

“This attack targeted troops from the signatory groups known as the Coordination of the Movements of the Azawad and the Platform, as well as government forces, who were preparing to start joint patrols in Gao, as called for in the 2015 peace accord,” it said.

America said it offers its “condolences to the victims and their families.”

“We also denounce in the strongest terms all efforts to derail implementation of the peace agreement in Mali.

“The United States continues to strongly support the ongoing peace process and efforts to mitigate terrorist threats,” the statement said.