ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Wednesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack against innocent civilians in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, on Tuesday.
The chairperson of the AU commission "condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack against innocent civilians in Nairobi, Kenya," said an AU statement released early Wednesday.
"He expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," said the statement.
Faki further stressed that "this cowardly attack, once again, underlines the imperative for renewed and reinvigorated efforts to combat terrorism throughout the continent."
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed on Wednesday that 14 people were killed and several others injured after a deadly attack on a hotel and business complex frequented by foreigners in the country's capital.
The chairperson of the 55-member continental union also commended "the swift response by the security forces of Kenya," and expressed the solidarity of the AU with the government and people of Kenya.
Faki further reiterated the AU's commitment to continue working with its member states and partners in the fight against terrorism throughout the continent, as well as to pursue its efforts to stabilize the situation in Somalia and the fight against al-Shabab, through its Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The Somalia-based terrorist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has been targeting Kenya-Somalia border areas and killing innocent citizens since Kenyan soldiers entered Somalia in 2011 to secure the two countries' shared border.
