President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to her Burkinabe counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of the Republic of Burkina Faso, following a terrorist attack at the Aziz Istanbul restaurant in Ouagadougou on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

Media reports indicated that “three or four” gunmen pulled up on motorbikes at the Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso’s capital at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night and began randomly shooting at customers. At least 18 people were killed, while eight others were injured in the attack.

In January, last year, Islamist extremists attacked another restaurant in Ouagadougou killing 30 persons.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the condolence message to the Government and people of Burkina Faso, President Sirleaf said to her Burkinabe counterpart, “It is with profound sadness and deep sorrow that we have learned of the death of at least 18 persons and eight others who were injured as a result of a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on Sunday, August 13, 2017.”

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, the Liberian leader extended to President Kaboré and the people of Burkina Faso, especially the bereaved families, heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained.

President Sirleaf prayed that the Almighty God will grant His Excellency Mr. Kaboré and the people of Burkina Faso strength, courage and fortitude as they go through this difficult period of mourning.