We condemn Paris attacks, says Magufuli
A woman weeps as she holds hands with others at a vigil held by the local French community in Sydney yesterday as Australians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left at least 130 dead and over 200 injured in Paris late on Friday. PHOTO | AFP
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In the message, Dr Magufuli said: “I have received with great shock and sadness the news of the terror attack against French citizens on November 13, 2015.”
Dar es Salaam/Paris. President John Magufuli yesterday joined other world leaders in condemning the Paris terro attacks that left over 130 people dead on Friday night, and sent a condolence message to French President Francois Hollande.
In the message, Dr Magufuli said: “I have received with great shock and sadness the news of the terror attack against French citizens on November 13, 2015.”
He said Tanzania joined all other peace-loving nations in strongly condemning the heinous attacks.
“As you mourn the deceased, I wish the bereaved strength and solace throughout this difficult period. I also wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said President Magufuli.
Meanwhile, Tanzania said yesterday it was closely monitoring the Paris incident in order to establish whether any Tanzanian was injured or killed during a terrorist attack in the French capital on Friday night.
The head of Communications in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms Mindi Kasiga, said there was no Tanzanian national that has been reported missing until yesterday afternoon.
“We have communicated with our embassy in Paris where the attacks occurred but as we are talking now no Tanzanian has been reported to have been caught in the attack,” said Ms Kasiga over a telephone interview.
According to Ms Kasiga, the Tanzanian embassy in Paris was cooperating with French authorities to establish whether any Tanzanian national was killed or injured in the terror attack.
She urged Tanzanians whose relatives or friends are in Paris to remain calm as the government was working on the matter.
Following the grisly attack, world leaders condemned it as atrocious.
US President Barack Obama led a chorus of global condemnation, saying it was “an attack on all of humanity”, and New York lit the new World Trade Centre in the red, white and blue of the French flag in sympathy.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the attacks. “The secretary-general condemns the despicable terrorist attacks carried out today (Friday) in various locations in and around Paris,” according to a statement from his spokesman.
“The secretary-general extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. He stands with the government and people of France,” added the statement.
The UN Security Council also condemned what it called “the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who was scheduled to land in France for a state visit today before going on to Italy but has now reportedly cancelled the trip, sent a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande calling the attacks “crimes against humanity,” the news agencies of both countries reported.
