One UN Peacekeeper in Mali Killed, 4 Wounded

A UN peacekeeper in Mali was killed and four others wounded north the country on Sunday, the UN mission (MINUSMA) said.

The victims’ vehicle hit an explosive device, according to Reuters.

However, the identity of the attackers was not immediately clear.

UN peacekeeping and French forces are stationed in Mali to combat jihadist groups seen as threatening security across Africa's Sahel region.

The soldiers had been participating in a patrol near the village of Aguelhok when the blast hit, UN mission spokesman Olivier Salgado tweeted. 

More UN Peacekeepers in Mali Killed

Elsewhere on Sunday, peacekeepers in Mali's central region of Mopti exchanged fire with members of an unidentified armed group after they came under attack, he said.

"MINUSMA chief (Mahamat Saleh) Annadif strongly condemns the recent resurgence of this type of attacks, particularly in the centre of the country," he said.

Jihadist groups have exploited ethnic rivalries in Mali and its neighbours to boost recruitment and render swathes of territory ungovernable.

Less than a week ago, 38 Malian soldiers were killed in a double attack on two army camps in central Mali - among the heaviest losses for Mali's army in recent years.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks.

The UN peacekeeper Mission in Mali was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap.