Death toll from Mali attack rises to over 150: government official

The death toll from The attack by unknown gunmen on villagers in central Mali has risen to over 150, according to a government spokesman.

Armed men, who were dressed as traditional Donzo hunters, encircled and attacked The villages ofOgossagou and Welingaraat about 4 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Saturday, March 23.

The United Nations has sent a team of investigators, including human rights officers, a child protection officer and crime scene investigators, to central Mali to look into incidents of inter-communal violence.

Malians have been frustrated by The failure of government forces to protect Them from both jihadist onslaughts and ethnic reprisals.

The United Nations, African Union and The office of The prosecutor of The International Criminal Court condemnedThe armed attack on The villages of Ogossagou and Welingarain Mopti, central Mali.

The ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said her office will take necessary steps to bring to justice individuals who were behind The heinous attack in which women and children were also reportedly targeted.

The Mopti region in central Mali has been plagued by deadly ethnic and jihadist violence since The start of The year.