March 5, 2019 (AFP) – Security is worsening in Mali with terror attacks on the rise, targeting UN peacekeepers, Malian troops, international forces and civilians, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a report on Tuesday. The threat from extremist groups has spread from northern Mali to the center of the West African country, complicating efforts to implement a peace deal with armed groups. In 2018, there were 237 terror attacks, up from 226 in 2017 and 183 the previous year, said the report. A peace agreement signed in 2015 by the government and armed groups was aimed at restoring stability, but the latest UN figures on the terror attacks confirmed the accord has failed to stop the Islamic militants. In all, 18 peacekeepers have been killed and 77 others injured in attacks in the past six months, the report said.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 05, 2019 19:41 UTC