Addis Ababa, October 7, 2016: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission,
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, strongly condemns the attack on a refugee camp shielding Malian refugees in Tazalit, Tahoua region of Niger, after about 40 heavily armed criminals drove into the security post and killed 22 security agents, leaving 3 others injured.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the AU’s solidarity with the Government and People of the Republic of Niger, offers her condolences to the bereaved families and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. She reaffirms the AU’s strong rejection of all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in the continent.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s commitment to continuously work with the government of Niger, all Member States, notably those of the Lake Chad Basin, and the international community at large in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism which have claimed enormous lives, displaced millions and wrecked devastating consequences on livelihoods.
She reiterates the appeal made by the AU Peace and Security Council, at its 571st meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 29 January 2016, for AU Member States and international partners to sustain their collective efforts towards effective combatting of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, while addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of this phenomena.