Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Kenya

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned Saturday’s attack in Mandera, Kenya for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility and which has caused the deaths of numerous innocent people.

In a press statement, the Security Council extended its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of the Republic of Kenya.

According to media reports, militants claiming to belong to the Al-Shabaab extremist group hijacked the commuter bus travelling to Nairobi, the country's capital, in the early morning hours of 22 November, executing at least 28 of the passengers.

The members of the Security Council in their statement reiterated their solidarity with the people and Government of Kenya in their fight against terrorism. The members of the Security Council paid tribute in particular to the role of Kenya in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) as part of the fight against Al Shabaab.

Reaffirming that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, the Council reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with relevant regional authorities in this regard.

Further to the statement, the Council reiterated its resolute and long-standing support to all actors working to end the threat posed by Al Shabaab in the region.