Terrorist groups have helped to draw global community even closer

On the third anniversary of the Westgate Shopping Mall attack, Australia joins Kenya in recognising all of those whose lives have been touched by this tragic event – honouring those we lost and remembering those who still live with the trauma and the grief.

One Australian, Ross Langdon, was killed in the attack. But many more – from Kenya, Great Britain, India, Canada, France and China, to name a few countries – lost their lives.

Terrorist attacks strike innocents far more than combatants – in this case, the main victims of the attack were ordinary Kenyans going about their daily lives.

That an Australian was among the victims is a reminder that no one is immune from acts of terrorism around the world and that terrorist groups continue to present a serious global threat. Terrorism, no matter where it occurs, is a global scourge.

Australia acknowledges Kenya’s substantial contribution in addressing regional security challenges. We appreciate the heavy burden Kenya and its people face as a consequence, in particular, the difficult and dangerous fight against al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Australia honours the Kenyan soldiers who have bravely given their lives in defence of Kenya and its values. We have been pleased to support Kenya, Amisom and the UN in addressing these challenges. The relationship between Australia and Kenya is underpinned by common values and interests: Democracy and freedom; the right of our peoples to live free from the pernicious threat of terrorism and violence; perseverance against adversity; and fairness and compassion. These are qualities that our peoples share.

FOUR GUNMEN

Extremists such as the four al-Shabaab gunmen who entered the Westgate Mall on September 21, 2013 aim to destroy the cause of peace and prosperity that underpins our modern, pluralistic societies. They seek to deny the aspirations of our people to live full, free, happy lives, free from fear and intimidation.

This is why Australia remains committed to the global fight against terrorism. We are committed to working with Kenya and the countries of East Africa to counter the risks of violent extremism in the region. We are committed to the fight against Daesh (Isis) in Iraq and Syria, where Australia is making a major contribution.

We are committed to preventing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters across borders, and to starving terrorist organisations of the funding and support they need to carry out their deeds. We are committed to supporting the role of women in conflict and post-conflict settings.

If the aim of al-Shabaab, Daesh and other groups is to fracture the international system or destroy relationships between countries, they are failing. If anything, they have helped to draw the global community even closer together and strengthened our collective resolve to work together against terrorism.

John Feakes is Australia's High Commissioner to Kenya.