South African President Jacob Zuma today extended support to Kenya to resolve the ongoing hostage crisis that has claimed at least 69 lives, including one South African national.
Condemning the deadly terror attack at an upscale mall in Nairobi by Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab group on Saturday, Zuma reaffirmed support for the Kenyan role in peace-keeping efforts in Somalia.
"South Africa continues to support Kenya's and the international community's efforts aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia," Zuma said.
"Terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned and South Africa stands firmly with the international community in condemning all terrorism, and this act in particular.
"We wish the Kenyan Government every success in rapidly resolving this issue with as little further loss of life as possible," the President said.
The South African High Commission in Nairobi is closely monitoring the situation in close liaison with the Kenyan authorities. Consular assistance is being provided to the next of kin of the deceased South African.
At least 69 people are now confirmed dead, Kenya Red Cross said as the stand-off between Kenyan security forces and the militants continued for the third day today.
The militants said the carnage was in direct retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in Somalia, where African Union troops are battling the Islamists. There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in Somalia, where they have been fighting the militants since 2011.
