The African Union strongly condemns the terrorist attacks on the Island of Koulfoua, Chad

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, is appalled by the terrorist attacks perpetrated yesterday on the island of Koulfoua, on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, killing dozens and wounding many more. She strongly condemns these dastardly attacks, and reiterates the AU's total rejection of terrorism and violent extremism, which cannot be justified under any circumstances.

The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the AU's solidarity with the Government and people of Chad. She offers the AU's heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes speedy recovery to the wounded.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that these attacks are a stark reminder of the continued threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism in Africa. She calls for enhanced inter-African cooperation to combat this scourge, building on the relevant African and international instruments. In this respect, the Commission will continue to work with member states in support of their efforts, including in the context of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) established by the member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Benin to combat the Boko Haram terrorist group. The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU's appeal to the larger international community to extend all the necessary assistance to the Continent to enable it more effectively address the challenges at hand.