Tributes for Chinese peacekeeper Shen Liangliang, killed by jihadists in attack on UN Mali mission

The chief of the UN mission in Mali promised extra support for personnel at a tribute ceremony Tuesday for the first Chinese peacekeeper killed among dozens who have died trying to stabilise the Sahel nation.

At least 65 peacekeepers have been killed since the mission’s launch three years ago, the latest by jihadists targeting a UN camp with rockets and mortars in the northern city of Gao on May 31.

It is the deadliest active deployment for UN peacekeepers.

Mahamat Saleh Annadif paid his final respects to First Sergeant Shen Liangliang in Bamako, and underlined the “courage and commitment” of the nearly 400 Chinese peacekeepers serving in Mali.

China began sending troops to support the Mali mission, known as MINUSMA in 2013, carrying out security, engineering and medical work, according to Xinhua.

Annadif said in a statement released by the mission he would “reinforce security measures and give our brave soldiers for peace the necessary equipment to allow them to better take on the challenges they face.”

Also present were China’s ambassador to Mali Lu Huiying, Danish commander of the Major-General Michael Lollesgaard, and Chinese general Su Guanghui.