Jihadists have claimed the lives of a minimum of 13 innocent civilians in southeastern Mali.
The attack occurred in Gao province during the Eid celebrations, and while it remains uncertain if the timing was intentional, several individuals were also wounded in the incident.
This assault took place on Wednesday, shortly before a vote scheduled for Friday at the UN Security Council, where Mali’s request for the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from the country is anticipated to be approved.
A draft resolution drawn up by France suggests that all personnel are withdrawn within six months.
The withdrawal of the mission, known as Minusma, would come after years of tensions between the UN and Mali’s military junta.
Analysts fear that the security situation could deteriorate, leaving the Russian mercenary group Wagner to combat Islamist militants who control large parts of the country.
Yet journalist Mohamed Golfa in the capital, Bamako, tells the BBC that many in Mali agree with the transitional government that the UN peacekeepers aren’t doing a good enough job.