The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, has voiced concerns on what appears to be the Easter Weekend attacks that left five students dead in a Kenyan University (Garissa).

Attending the 7th Women’s Congress of the Saharawi people in Algeria, Mr Masango said the attacks were against the African Union’s vision of a stable continent, free of wars, free of terrorism and  free of destabilisation, as well as the African vision as contained in Agenda2063.

“This is not the Africa we want and it disregards the gains achieved through blood, sweat and years of struggle,” he said.

“The frequency of these attacks is concerning, but even more concerning is the civilian deaths, and the catastrophic impact on the economy. The African Union should devise a strategy on how best to deal with insurgency on the continent,” he said.

Insurgent organisation, Al-Shabaab, has come out and claim responsibility for the attacks. The organisation claimed revenge for the support offered by the Kenyan troops on the ongoing unrest in the nearby Somali. In 2013, 67 East Africans were killed when gunmen wilfully shot at people at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall.

The Chairperson called for religious tolerance, especially in East and West Africa where largely both Islam and Christianity enjoy prominence.

“Our priority should be to make Africa a habitable place in the global village and a home to all people,” said Mr Masango.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON, Mr SIPHOSEZWE MASANGO