American killed in Mali was former Peace Corps volunteer, mother
The American among 20 killed in an attack on a Mali hotel was a public health worker and mother of a young son, family members said as security forces in the country searched for more than three other suspects Saturday.
Anita Ashok Datar volunteered with the Peace Corps from 1997-1999 and since then had dedicated her career to advancing global development, focusing specifically on reproductive health, family planning and fighting HIV, according a statement released through the State Department by her family Friday.
"We are devastated that Anita is gone. It is unbelievable to us that she has been killed in this senseless act of violence and terrorism," the statement said. "Anita was one of the kindest and most generous people we know. She loved her family and her work tremendously."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Datar as "a bright light who gave help and hope to people in need around the world. ... Anita represented of America's generous spirit." Datar was a former partner of David Garten, an attorney who worked as a senior adviser to Clinton in the Senate, according to a statement issued by Clinton..
Datar was killed in the attack at a Radisson Blu hotel frequented by foreigners in the Malian capital of Bamako. A group affiliated with al-Qaeda took credit for the assault. The gunmen were part of an extremist organization formed by Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar.
Extremists entered the hotel Friday and began seizing hostages. Malian troops, assisted by French and U.S. special forces, later ended the seven-hour siege. Security forces worked their way from floor to floor, freeing hostages or those in hiding.
At least two gunmen were killed by the forces, who were searching for additional suspects Saturday.
“The search has started and I can tell you that we are looking for more than three people at the moment,” said Maj. Modibo Nama Traore, according to Associated Press.
Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita ordered a 10-day nationwide state of emergency and a three-day period of mourning to begin Monday, AP reported.
Datar lived with her son in Takoma Park, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C. She was born in western Massachusetts and grew up in northern New Jersey, earning a master's degree in public health and public administration from Columbia University, according to her family.
She worked in Senegal as a Peace Corps volunteer and was a senior manager at Palladium Group, an international development consulting firm in Washington, D.C., She was also a founding board member of Tulalens, a non-profit organization devoted to assisting poor women with health care in Chennai, India.
"While we are angry and saddened that she has been killed, we know that she would want to promote education and healthcare to prevent violence and poverty at home and abroad, not intolerance," her family wrote in the statement.