Assembly/AU/Decl.2(XXI) Page 1 DECLARATION ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN NIGER AND/ON THE SOLIDARITY OF AFRICA WITH THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER The Assembly, Deeply shocked and aggrieved by the two heinous terrorist attacks against the public and industrial establishments in Agadez and Arlit in Niger on 23 May 2013; Recognising the commitment and determination of Niger to fight against the scourges of terrorism and cross border criminality as well as its invaluable contribution to the African led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA); Recalling the AU instruments relating to the prevention and fight against terrorism, reaffirming the need to pursue and intensify efforts to face the scourges of terrorism and trans-national crimes, stressing, in this regard, the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Member States as regards security and bearing in mind the seriousness of the terrorist threat in the Sahelo-Saharan Region; 1. STRONGLY CONDEMNS the treacherous terrorist attacks perpetrated in Agadez and Arlit, EXPRESSES the solidarity of Africa with the people and Government of Niger and ASSURES them of its full support in their efforts to fight against terrorism and organised transnational crimes; 2. CONVEYS its heartfelt condolence to the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Agadez and Arlit and EXPRESSES its wishes for the prompt recovery of the injured persons; 3. WELCOMES the renewed commitment and courageous actions of President Mahamadou Issoufou for the promotion of peace, security and stability in the Sahelo-Sahara Region as demonstrated particularly by the remarkable contribution of Niger to AFISMA; 4. STRESSES ONCE AGAIN the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination between the AU Member States in the fight against the scourge of terrorism and organised transnational crimes and ENCOURAGES, in this regard, the Commission to pursue the efforts initiated with the countries of the Sahelo-Saharan Region, with the organisation on 17 March 2013 of the Ministerial Meeting in Nouakchott and that of the Heads Security and Intelligence Services in Bamako on 18 April 2013 and LOOKS FORWARD with interests to the next similar meeting scheduled in June 2013; 5. REQUESTS the Commission, in cooperation with the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism (CAERT) and the Committee of African Security and Intelligence Services (CISSA), to send urgently an assessment mission to Niger to determine the modalities for assistance to that country and report to the meeting of the Heads of Security and Intelligence Services scheduled in June 2013;