THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION EXPRESSES HIS SYMPATHY WITH THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 5, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, has learnt with sadness the news of the explosions in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, on 4 March 2012, following the fire that broke out in an arms and ammunition depot. He deplores the significant number of deaths that were recorded, as well as the hundreds of people injured by the explosions.

The Chairperson of the Commission presents his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families, the people and the Government of the Congo. On this sad occasion, he calls on the Member States and the international community as a whole to show solidarity with and provide assistance to the Congolese Government in the face of this tragedy.