18 October 2001

Africans Condemn Terrorist Attacks on the United States

Washington -- In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the U.S. Defense Department's main headquarters outside Washington, known as the Pentagon -- and a related plane crash in Pennsylvania -- many African countries offered their condemnations of the attacks and their condolences to the victims.

Victims from the terrorist attack and destruction of the World Trade Center twin tower office buildings in New York City came from more than 65 nations.

Following is an updated summary list of those statements -- some of which were obtained from a similar list run by Fox News. (Added to the original list run on the Africa File September 20 are comments from Djibouti, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, and Togo. Comments are also included from the Southern African Development Community, and an additional statement is included from South Africa.) This list is based on information available at press time:

Angola: Angola condemned the attacks and expressed sympathy for the victims' families.

Burkina Faso: "Burkina Faso condemns these terrorist attacks in the same way it condemns all forms of terrorism," said President Blaise Compaore.

Burundi: President Pierre Buyoya expressed his condolences to all Americans, especially those living in Burundi.

Cameroon: President Paul Biya sent a letter to President Bush offering condolences over "the horrifying tragedy."

Central African Republic: The government condemned the attacks and sent two Cabinet ministers to sign a condolence book at the U.S. Embassy.

Cote D'Ivoire: President Laurent Gbagbo condemned "with the utmost firmness these acts, which no human reason could possibly justify."

Djibouti: From President Ismail Omar Guelleh: "In this tragic time, the Djiboutian people and the Djiboutian government join me to: Condemn vehemently these cowardly and criminal acts; share with the American people and its government their pain; and also show to the American nation our solidarity and friendship."

Ethiopia: The Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, wrote a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"The criminal and cowardly acts of terror that have struck America have created a deep sense of grief and sorrow here in Ethiopia," the foreign minister said.

"The Ethiopian people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on this day of sorrow sympathize and stand in solidarity with the American people and their government. Even though these vicious and barbaric acts and their aftermath of death and destruction are painfully felt, it is our belief that America's resolve and firm stand against terror will not diminish.

"Allow me, Excellency, to extend to you my personal condolences and the expression of solidarity of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia."

Eritrea: President Isaias Afwerki noted: "At this hour of national grief and tragedy, I wish to express to the American people and to you, our profound sorrow on behalf of the people and government of Eritrea."

Gabon: President El Hadj Omar Bongo said, "At this particularly painful time for the American people, I would like to extend to you, in my name and in the name of the Gabonese people, my sincere condolences and the compassion and solidarity of all of my countrymen. Gabon has always condemned terrorism and will continue to do so."

The Gambia: Head of State Yahya Jammeh condemned "in the strongest possible terms such mindless acts which result in the deaths of innocent people and the wanton destruction of property and urge that those responsible be brought to justice and made to account for these evil acts."

Ghana: "We consider the attacks as a strike against humanity and civilization all over the world," said Foreign Affairs Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyeman.

Guinea: President Lansana Conte expressed sympathy over the attacks on a visit to the U.S. Embassy.

Kenya: President Daniel T. arap Moi said it appeared these were "coordinated acts of terrorism." As president of a country that has suffered from heinous and evil acts of terrorism, he condemned "in the strongest terms possible these cowardly and heinous acts." He pointed out that terrorism can never be the basis for resolution of any conflict and must therefore remain outlawed and condemned by all people of good will. Noting that these tragic incidents had led to loss of innocent lives and destruction of property, President Moi called on the international community to redouble efforts in the fight against terrorism. In 1998, Kenya was the site of one of the twin U.S. Embassy bombings linked to Usama bin Laden.

Lesotho: Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili expressed in late September his government's condolences to the United States for the "heinous atrocity perpetrated by terrorists."

Liberia: "Today the hands of evil have struck America," President Charles Taylor said at a prayer service. "Tomorrow it could be any other nation." President Taylor also publicly supported U.S. military action and offered "elite units" and blanket clearance for use of airfields/airspace.

Madagascar: Prime Minister Tantely Andrianarivo condemned the attacks, saying the people of Madagascar stand in solidarity with the American people and its government.

Malawi: President Bakili Muzuli, a Muslim, described the attacks as acts of "barbarism" and criticized them for going against the teachings of Islam. "We all worship God to go to heaven and we cannot kill in order to go there," he said. "This is an attack not on the American people alone but also a crime against all humanity and its civilization. It has reverberated throughout the world and shaken all peace-loving people."

Mauritania: Government spokesman Rachid Ould Saleh condemned the terrorist attacks as being "horrible."

Mozambique: Mozambique condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the United States. President Joaquim Chissano urged the United States to think first before reacting and to be responsible in its actions.

Namibia: Namibia's foreign minister stated on October 11 that "America has the right, as an act of self-defense, to retaliate and put an end to terrorism."

Nigeria: Nigeria condemned the terrorist assaults on Washington and New York as a 'dastardly attack' on America.

In a message to President Bush, President Olusegun Obasanjo extended condolences on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria and on his own behalf over the "sadistic terrorist attack" on the American people.

President Obasanjo described the attack as "callous and dastardly," adding that it must be condemned by all peace-loving people the world over.

"The perpetrators of this heinous crime that has resulted in huge losses of lives and property must not go unpunished," President Obasanjo said in his message.

"Terrorism and terrorists must never be given comfort," he said. "The spirit of democracy must never be downcast but must be buoyed up and made unconquerable," he said.

He added that Nigerian prayers and sympathy "also go to the families of those who have lost their beloved ones in this attack."

Republic Of Congo: "All people of the world have to organize themselves to fight terrorism and enable the values of peace, freedom and development to triumph," President Denis Sassou-Nguesso said.

Rwanda: President Paul Kagame expressed the country's "deepest condolences" to Americans, their leaders, "and the families who lost their loved ones, at this hour of profound national catastrophe."

Sao Tome And Principe: The country condemned the attacks as "barbaric."

Sierra Leone: President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah said his government and people "hope and pray that the almighty God will give the injured people speedy recovery and the bereaved families succor and solace in this period of grief."

Somalia: President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan expressed his condolences for the attack.

South Africa: "On behalf of the people and Government of South Africa, the President [Thabo Mbeki] condemns these dastardly actions.

"The South African Government joins the world in unreservedly denouncing these senseless and horrific attacks.

"The Government further calls on the international community to unite against global terrorism.

"The Government expresses its confidence that the United States' authorities will ensure the perpetrators face the full might of the law.

"On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, the President expresses his condolences to President George Bush and the people of the United States.

"During this time of incredible national hardship and grief, the President extends his sympathies to those who lost loved ones."

Additional statement from South Africa:

"The Government reaffirms its unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks on various cities of the USA.

"South Africa recognizes the right of the USA administration to seek out those responsible for those acts of terror ... and to ensure that justice is meted out to them."

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers For Foreign Affairs And Finance: "We strongly condemn this ghastly and barbaric act of terrorism and wanton destruction of property. We further condemn all forms of terrorism and reaffirm our commitment to contribute to regional, continental and international efforts to fight this scourge which knows no boundaries."

Sudan: President Omer al Bashir said that Sudan denounces and condemns these horrific acts of terror. He added, in a statement, that targeting innocent civilians is "a crime against humanity and morality that contradicts all decent principles." He said that whoever stands behind these acts must be condemned and brought to justice. The government of Sudan calls upon the international community to "cooperate and work diligently in combating all forms of terrorism."

The president also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to President Bush, the government of the United States, and the American people. He expressed his sympathy and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the tragedy.

Swaziland: Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini condemned the "monstrous acts" and sent condolences to the victims. "But as in war ... we must carry on in our work, striving to ensure that good triumphs [over] evil," he said.

Tanzania: President Benjamin Mkapa condemned the attacks, and the Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, "We sincerely hope that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be tracked down, apprehended and brought to justice." In 1998, Tanzania was the site of one of the twin U.S. Embassy bombings linked to Usama bin Laden.

Togo: "We firmly condemn these terrorist acts which constitute a threat not only to America's security but also against international security and world peace," said President Gnassingbe Eyadema.

He called it "unacceptable that the United States, which is putting forth tremendous efforts for peace and stability everywhere they are threatened, is subject to criminal acts so serious as to constitute a declaration of war."

Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni offered condolences and condemned the attack. "The Ugandan government has always been warning the world about the actions of terrorists which are always either cowardly or misguided," he said.

Zambia: President Frederick Chiluba promised his country would "stand with the United States to fight international terrorism for preservation of Christian values and democracy."

Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe wrote to President Bush expressing horror at the attacks and his people's solidarity with America. The attacks appeared to be the work of "the most remorseless and hardened enemies of the United States government and people, and indeed, of all the peace-loving people of the wider world," he wrote.