UNSC condemns attack against peace mission base in Somalia

UN Security Council strongly condemned an attack by Al Shabaab militants against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base camp in Leego, which has caused the death and injury of many Burundian troops, according to a press statement issued Saturday.

Dozens of soldiers have been killed after Al Shabaab overran an African Union base in Somalia. Witnesses said there were as many as 50 bodies, some of which had been decapitated, but this could not be confirmed, according to media reports. "The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the people and government of Burundi, to AMISOM, as well as to the people and government of the Federal Republic of Somalia," said the statement.

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, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed, said the statement.

The council "underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard," said the statement.

AMISOM is a peace keeping mission operated by the African Union in Somalia with approval by the United Nations.