European Union condemns Mandera bus attack, pledges support to fight Al-Shabaab

European Union spokesperson Ms Federica Mogherini. She said the UE condemned the Saturday attack on a Nairobi-bound bus in Mandera, adding that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. A total of 28 people were killed in the dawn attack on November 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO | JOHN THYS

What you need to know:

  • EU spokesperson Ms Federica Mogherini said the terrorist attack should not go unpunished.
  • Ms Mogherini said that the perpetrators of the criminal attack must be brought to justice.
  • She added that the UE would continue to support Kenya’s fight against the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group.
  • Earlier, the United States and the United Nations condemned the Mandera bus attack, terming it as “horrific”.

The European Union (EU) has condemned the Saturday attack on a Nairobi-bound bus in Mandera in which 28 people were killed by Al-Shabaab militants.

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.

At the same time, Ms Mogherini said that the perpetrators of the criminal attack must be brought to justice.

She conveyed the EU’s message of sympathy to the families of those killed in the Saturday attack.

“The EU expresses its deepest condolences to all the families of those killed,” she said.

SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST AL-SHABAAB

She added that the UE would continue to support Kenya’s fight against the Somalia-based 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," she said.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the dawn attack on a bus that had just left Mandera Town for Nairobi on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Most of those killed were teachers and health workers who were heading home for the December holidays.

Earlier, the United States and the United Nations condemned the Mandera bus attack, calling it “horrific”.

And while conveying his condolences, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged that the UN would continue supporting Kenya and other countries in the region “in their multidimensional efforts to address the scourge of terrorism”.