Press Statement of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 497th meeting held on 9 April 2015, on the terrorist attack perpetrated in Garissa, Kenya

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 10, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 497th meeting held on 9 April 2015, adopted the following press statement on the terrorist attack perpetrated in Garissa, Kenya, on 2 April 2015:

Council condemned, in the strongest terms possible, this terrible terrorist attack, in which al-Shabaab terrorist group stormed the campus of Garissa University College in Garissa, during which more than 148 innocent students and staff were killed, while many others were injured.

Council stressed that this barbaric act against innocent civilians is tantamount to an attack on the African continent as a whole. Council reiterated AU's full solidarity with the people and the Government of Kenya and expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Council wished speedily recovery to all injured victims.

Council underlined that the escalation of terrorist attacks in the continent highlights the need for renewed efforts to address the scourge of terrorism, on the basis of the relevant AU and international instruments. Council called on all Member States and partners to redouble their efforts in this respect, and to enhance inter-African counter-terrorism cooperation.

Council reaffirmed its commitment to take appropriate steps to enhance the functioning of its Committee on Counter-Terrorism in order to enable it to effectively react to the scourge of terrorism.

Council commended the Government of Kenya for its efforts and role in combating terrorism and for its outstanding contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as part of the overall efforts to promote peace and security in the region and the continent as a whole. In this regard, Council also expressed its commitment to continue working with the Kenyan Government towards the mobilization of the required international support to the fight against terrorism.

Council reiterated the AU's determination to continue its efforts in Somalia, in order to rid the country and the region of terrorist and criminal groups, and bring about lasting peace, security and stability in Somalia, in the region and the continent as a whole.

Council agreed to dispatch a delegation to Kenya to convey its heartfelt condolences and to express its solidarity to the people and Government of Kenya, in the aftermath of the barbaric terrorist attack in Garissa.