Back to Index

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition statement on the Kenya terrorist attacks
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
September 23, 2013

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition condemns in the strongest terms the unwarranted attacks on defenseless civilians by the members of an alleged Somali militant group Al-Shabaab who on Saturday 21 September, besieged the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya and opened fire leading to the death toll that currently stands at 69 with at least 175 people injured and an unspecified number held hostage.

We are appreciative of the fact that Islam is a religion of peace, and we therefore strenuously object to the hijacking of the doctrine and the use of the same as a basis by Islamic militants to justify these heinous attacks which are a manifestation of wanton disregard for human life that is, in sync with a global escalation of acts of terror.

We cannot overstate the severity of the breach on fundamental human rights and freedoms that have been visited on the citizens of Kenya in light of these terrorist activities, and we are concerned that the long-term trauma of this attack will inevitably scar the national psyche thereby fostering a culture of fear.

We stand in solidarity with our African brothers and sisters in Kenya and beyond during this time of collective apprehension occasioned by an escalation of violent religious fundamentalism on the continent while we urge the relevant authorities to capacitate the security services to respond to such threats effectively and to deter similar attacks in the future.

That the citizens of Kenya should be targeted so ruthlessly in ostensible retaliation for having their troops taking part in peacekeeping missions in neighbouring Somalia is morally reprehensible and violates the spirit and principles of solidarity, goodwill, trust and fraternity among states and their citizens.

We hope that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice even as we reiterate the need for tolerance as an extension of respecting the right to freedoms of religious choice, association and expression that are inherent to all human beings while recognizing the sanctity of human life.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP