Brussels, 19 January 2016/ ACP: The Secretariat of the ACP Group of States was stunned and deeply shocked to learn of the barbaric and despicable attacks perpetrated against the people of Burkina Faso in Inabao, part of the northern province of Oudalan, and in the heart of Ougadougou, the capital, at the Splendid and Yibi Hotels and the Capuccino Cafe.

These unprecedented armed attacks, followed by the abduction of two Australian nationals in Djibio, in the north of the country, have occurred at a time when Burkina Faso, under the leadership of its newly democratically elected President, H.E. Roch Christian Kaboré, has been preparing with the government, after a successful return to constitutional legality, to consolidate the democratic processes that took place throughout the country, and by doing so, to move resolutely towards peace and democracy, for the harmonious development and well-being of the People of Burkina Faso

The Secretariat firmly condemns this attack which left many innocent victims, including foreigners, either dead or injured. Moreover, the Secretariat unequivocally condemns all forms of violence against civilians, especially women and children.

The Secretariat expresses its support for the people and government of Burkina Faso in dealing with the terrible ordeal that the tentacles of terrorism have imposed on the country and also commends the speedy and effective response of Burkina Faso security forces, along with decisive French and American military support— a symbol of the willingness of the international community to collectively combat the scourge of terrorism.

The Secretariat expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims in particular, and to the people and government of Burkina Faso as a whole.

For more information, please contact:

ACP Press Office
Ms. Josephine Latu-Sanft
+32 7430617

+32 476575673
latu@acp.int