Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15 January 2016, during which at least 29 people were killed and many more injured, and for which Al Mourabitoune, a terrorist group affiliated to Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, has claimed responsibility.  They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Burkina Faso, as well as to all Governments whose citizens were targeted in these attacks.  They wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

They expressed their solidarity with Burkina Faso and the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism and stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, which may be conducive to terrorism.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).