The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, strongly condemns the terrorist attack carried out on 4 March against a military post in northern Benin, near the village of Kofouno, close to Karimama and the border with Niger.

The Chairperson of the Commission expresses his deep compassion and extends his sincere condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, as well as to the people and the authorities of the Republic of Benin. He also wishes a speedy recovery to the injured and reaffirms the full solidarity of the Commission with Benin in this difficult moment.

In light of the persistent terrorist threat in the region, the Chairperson of the Commission calls for strengthened collective mobilization and welcomes the recent consultations within ECOWAS aimed at accelerating the operationalization of the regional brigade of the African Standby Force to effectively combat terrorism. He also reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to support West African countries in their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism.

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Mr. Nuur Mohamud Sheekh I Spokesperson of the Chairperson I African Union Commission I Email: SheekhN@AfricanUnion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia