Today we solemnly remember the lives – Americans, Kenyans, Tanzanians and others – that were violently taken from us 24 years ago. The terrorist attacks on our Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania claimed 224 innocent lives and injured more than 4,500 others. Among those we honor are the colleagues the Department lost that day, Americans and foreign service members dedicated to strengthening ties between the United States and our African partners. The victims of these attacks are never far from our minds, and today our thoughts are also with the loved ones they left behind.
In the aftermath of these heinous attacks, America and our partners met cowardice and vice with courage and determination. The attacks, designed to intimidate us, only strengthened our resolve. And earlier this month, the United States took decisive action against al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, architect of the 1998 attacks, making clear once again that we are positioned to act in accordance with our determination, which does not diminish with time.
Today in South Africa and in the coming days in the region, I will reiterate to our African partners that America remains committed to working with countries on the continent to confront the common challenges we face, including the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism. As we remember the lives taken from us almost a quarter of a century ago, we will continue to prove that those who seek to block the path of a better future for our countries will never be able to succeed.
