The UN worldwide held memorials to remember and honor those who died in the Algiers bombings. This is the second time in Africa a UN facility has been attacked and many innocent lives have been lost.

The United Nations system in Zambia held a memorial service on 4th January 2008 in honor of UN staff that perished in the Algiers bombing last December 11, 2007.  A total of 18 staff members of the UN were killed in the suicide vehicle bomb attack of the UN office buildings in Algiers that also injured many others. The bomb detonated on the street in front of two UN organization buildings, partially collapsing one structure and damaging the other along with several other buildings nearby. Besides the fatalities, hundreds of UN staff sustained injuries and are still recovering and there were many fatalities from the wider Algerian population from the UN bombing.

A number of UN Country offices worldwide have held Memorial Services in the Wake of the bombing, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon condemning the attack in which innocent lives were lost. A Statement release by the Secretary-General said,” Those who target innocent civilians in this way commit an unspeakable crime. Terrorism is never justifiable, on any ground, as all 192 United nations Member States agreed last year when they came together to adopt the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It hurts all nations – large and small, rich and poor. It takes its toll on human beings of every age and income, culture and religion.” The Secretary-General, who visited the site following the bombing, said that the attack had redoubled his resolve to push for implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and his determination to improve the security of UN staff worldwide. He added, “This was an attack not only against the United Nations, not only against Algerians, but against humankind itself. Our colleagues there were working with no other mission than to support the people of Algeria in building a better future”.

In attendance were UN members of staff and UN agency Country Representatives led by the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, Government representatives led by the Minister of Home Affairs Hon Rev LT Gen Shikapwasha MP and  Diplomatic Missions.