UN peacekeeper dies after vehicle strikes mine in northern Mali

A United Nations peacekeeper has died in northern Mali after his vehicle struck a mine, the organization said.

The peacekeeping mission’s tanker truck, which was part of a logistics convoy, drove over the mine near the town of Tessalit, in the Kidal region, on Friday afternoon, the head of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said in a statement.

The second of the two peacekeepers in the vehicle has been seriously injured, Annadif added.

While securing the site of the incident, peacekeepers detected a second explosive device and neutralized it, according to the statement.

Mali's centre and north have experienced regular flare-ups of violence and attacks in the wake of a 2012 military coup that saw separatist rebel groups and later al-Qaeda associated militants take control of the region.

French and African military operations, alongside the Malian army's efforts, scattered militants and restored government control over the area, but rebel activities and military operations continue in some areas, despite the signing of various peace agreements.

MINUSMA is supporting the Malian army and France’s Operation Barkhane in securing the volatile region.