Ext/Assembly/AU/Decl.4(Oct.2013) DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA FOLLOWING THE TERRORIST AL-SHABAB/AL QAEDA ATTACK, ON A MARKET IN MOGADISHU We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, meeting in our Extraordinary Session, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12 October 2013: Deeply concerned about the persistent terrorist Al-Shabab/Al Qaeda attacks on innocent people in Somalia, in particular the heinous bombardment of a market in Mogadishu on 21st September 2013, Hereby, 1. CONDEMN with utmost firmness these cowardly and vicious acts of aggression against a Member State of the African Union; 2. COMMEND the efforts of the Somali security forces to counteract the continuous aggression of the terrorist Al-Shabab/Al Qaeda gangs; 3. EXPRESS our full solidarity with the Government and people of Somalia in their efforts to consolidate the gradual return to stability in their country and REAFFIRM their commitment to increase their support through the AMISOM; 4. EXPRESS our sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the Government and people of Somalia and the families of the victims of these continuous terrorist acts; 5. SEIZE this opportunity to reaffirm the full commitment of the African Union to spare no effort to permanently avert these threats to the security, stability and development of the African continent and to combine its efforts with the East African region and the rest of the international community in the fight against the terrorist Al-Shabab/Al Qaeda group in Somalia and in the region.