Dakar, 12 December- The Special Representative of the Secretary-general and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated on 11 December against a military camp located in Inates, in western Niger, near the border of Mali, in which 71 Nigerien soldiers were killed and others injured.

The Special Representative extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Niger, and wishes a prompt recovery to the injured.

The Special Representative calls for the perpetrators of this crime to be swiftly brought to justice. He reiterates the support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Niger in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel reaffirms the United Nations’ commitment to the countries of the G5 Sahel as they scale up efforts to tackle multiple security challenges in order to promote peace and development in the Sahel.

###