Addis Ababa, Sep 22 (IANS): The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the attack on a popular shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi

"Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the dastardly terrorist attacks last Saturday against innocent civilians in a Nairobi shopping mall, which caused the loss of many lives," Xinhua quoted the statement issued Sunday as saying.

"This cowardly attack, for which the Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab group has claimed responsibility, once again underlines the imperative for renewed and reinvigorated efforts to combat terrorism throughout the continent," it stated.

"She reiterates the AU's commitment to continue working with its Member States and partners to this end," the statement added.

The AU Commission chairperson also expressed solidarity with the government and people of Kenya.

She extended the AU's heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, wishing those injured a speedy recovery.

Dlamini-Zuma committed sustained efforts to counter terrorism throughout the Africa, stabilise the situation in Somalia and fight by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in the Horn of Africa against the Al Shabaab.

A group of Al Shabaab suspects launched an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi Saturday, killing at least 59 people and wounding 175 others.

Nearly 50 people are still unaccounted for as 10 to 15 gunmen are still holding hostages in the building in a tense standoff with Kenyan security forces.