United Nations Security Council condemns Mandera bus attack

Kenya: The United Nations Security Council has joined those that have condemned the Saturday’s attack by terrorists in Mandera in which 28 people died.

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

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.

British’s Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire too condemned the terrorist attack and pledged continued UK support in the fight against Al-Shabab.

“I strongly condemn the attack that took place in Mandera County, Kenya, today, killing 28 people. I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died,” he said.

“There can be no place for such senseless acts of violence in our societies. The UK stands by the Kenyan government in its fight against terrorism and in its efforts to bring those responsible for this barbaric act to justice.”

The European Union (EU) too condemned the incident. In a statement issued in Brussels, Belgium, EU spokesperson Ms Federica Mogherini said the terrorist attack should not go unpunished.

"The killing of 28 civilians in cold blood by Al-Shabaab at Mandera in northern Kenya is a terrorist act which cannot stay unpunished,” she said.

She added that the UE would continue to support Kenya’s fight against Al-Shabaab militant group.

“The EU will continue to support action against Al-Shabab in Somalia and will work with the Kenyan Government and Kenyan citizens to remove this threat from their country."

Canada, the US and United Nations have also condemned the incident.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou also condemned the incident.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged the UN will continue supporting Kenya and other countries in the region in their multidimensional efforts to address the scourge of terrorism.

The Al-Shabaab militants hijacked a bus that had 59 passengers to Nairobi from Mandera and shot dead 28 of them at close range on religious grounds.

Witnesses said the passengers, most of whom were teachers were singled out after they were unable to recite an Islamic doctrines.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killings which they said was in retaliation for last week’s mosque raids by Kenyan security forces at the coast.

Deputy President William Ruto said  Sunday security agencies had killed about 100 suspects believed to have been among the attackers after the incident. Ruto said two successful operations were carried out as security agencies pursued the terrorists into Somalia.

The Department of Defence later issued a statement and pictures of places where KDF is alleged to have killed the militants.