Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Saturday strongly slammed the blast that hit a checkpoint in North Sinai on Friday killing and injuring dozens of soldiers.
"Zuma expresses profound shock and dismay at the two terrorist attacks directed at Egyptian security forces" the AU commission said in a statement.
It added that Zuma condemns, in the strongest terms possible, these "cowardly and terrorist attacks".
She offered AU’s heartfelt condolences to the people and the government of Egypt, as well as to the martyrs' families and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
"The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the need for continued and coordinated African efforts to prevent and combat the scourge of terrorism", the statement read.