AU calls for renewed efforts to address escalated terrorist attacks in Africa

The African Union (AU) has called for renewed efforts to address scourge of terrorism in Africa.

At the its 497th meeting held on Thursday, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) dwelt on the terrorist attack perpetrated in Garissa, Kenya on April 2, according to a statement from AU on Friday.

The council condemned the terrible terrorist attack in which Al- Shabaab terrorist group stormed the campus of Garissa University College in northern Kenya, during which more than 148 innocent students and staff were killed, while many others were injured.

"The barbaric act against innocent civilians is tantamount to an attack on the African continent as a whole," said the statement.

According to the council, the escalation of terrorist attacks in the continent highlights the need for renewed efforts to address the scourge of terrorism, on the basis of the relevant AU and international instruments.

It called on all AU member states and partners to redouble their efforts in this respect, and to enhance inter-African counter-terrorism cooperation.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to take appropriate steps to enhance the functioning of its committee on counter-terrorism in order to enable it to effectively react to the scourge of terrorism.

It reiterated AU's determination to continue its efforts in Somalia, in order to rid the country and the region of terrorist and criminal groups, and bring about lasting peace, security and stability in Somalia, the region and the continent as a whole. Endi