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Security Council condemns deadly Côte d'Ivoire terrorist attack

French forces from Opération Licorne (Operation Unicorn) and Jordanian Formed Police Units from the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) conduct crowd control exercises near Grand Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire. Opération Licorne works in support of U
UN Photo/Ky Chung (file)
French forces from Opération Licorne (Operation Unicorn) and Jordanian Formed Police Units from the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) conduct crowd control exercises near Grand Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire. Opération Licorne works in support of UNOCI.

Security Council condemns deadly Côte d'Ivoire terrorist attack

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, that killed at least 16 people and left many more injured, and for which Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility.

In a press statement, Council members offered their “deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as to the Government of France and all other Governments whose citizens were targeted in these attacks,” and wished “a speedy recovery to those injured.”

The Council expressed solidarity with Côte d’Ivoire and the countries in the region fighting against terrorism, and stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat violent extremism, which may be conducive to terrorism.

Underlining the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, the Council stressed that “those responsible for these killings should be held accountable,” and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Council resolutions, “to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.”

Regardless of who was responsible, the Council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, location or time. They also reaffirmed the need for all States to combat – by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law – threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.