President Zuma sends condolences to Afghanistan and UAE

Friday, January 13, 2017

Pretoria - President Zuma has sent condolences to Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the death of five diplomats in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

The governor of southern Kandahar province, Humayoun Azizi, and Ambassador of the UAE to Kabul Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi were wounded in a blast inside Kandahar’s guesthouse on Tuesday, which killed five and injured about 17 others.

The governor was hosting a dinner attended by several UAE diplomats, who were on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects in Afghanistan in support of bringing peace, security and stability to the country and people of Afghanistan. 

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came just hours after deadly twin blasts near the parliament headquarters in the capital, Kabul.

“The South African government condemns this act of aggression, as well as the suicide attacks in Kabul, which has witnessed an increase in violence, and extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in this moment of sadness and grief,” said President Zuma. - SAnews.gov.za