THE UN says the second-in-command general of the current international support mission in Mali has been found dead in his hotel room.
A statement released late on Saturday said General Yaya Seyni Garba likely died from a heart attack.
Damian Cardon, a communications adviser for MINUSMA, said the body of the army general from neighbouring Niger was found on Saturday morning.
Niger is one of the West African countries contributing forces to the French-led mission in northern Mali.
France launched its military operation in January in an effort to oust al-Qaeda-linked militants from power in northern Mali.
While the jihadists have fled the major towns, they continue to launch suicide bombings and other attacks in a show of force.