Pan-African body condemns terrorist attack in Kenya

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - The chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) condemned Tuesday's terror attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, Moussa Faki expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

At least 15 people have been killed in the attack on Dusit Complex, which hosts a luxury hotel, restaurant, and several office buildings.

“The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that this cowardly attack, once again, underlines the imperative for renewed and reinvigorated efforts to combat terrorism throughout the continent,” the statement said.

Faki appreciated the swift response by the security forces of Kenya and expressed the solidarity of the union with the government and people of Kenya.

“The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s commitment to continue working with its member states and partners in the fight against terrorism throughout the continent, as well as to pursue its efforts to stabilize the situation in Somalia and the fight against al-Shabaab, through its Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),” said the statement.

Also, the East African trading and security bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), condemned the attack dubbing it as “cowardly”.

The Somalia-based militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.