كتب : Sherif Tarek
"The Prime Minister considers the incident in Cabinda as an isolated act and repeated that the security of Togo's team and the other squads is guaranteed, and that the victims received the best medical care," his office stated.
The driver of Togo's bus was instantly killed Friday and other delegation members were terribly wounded when gunmen opened fire on the bus in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda.
The death toll rose when assistant coach Abalo Amelete and press officer Stanislas Ocloo were pronounced dead, while L'Equipe reported that fringe goalie Kodjovi Obilale also passed away.
Togo have reportedly quitted CAN, and presumably other teams are considering withdrawing from the biennial competition due to security worries.
But Kassoma released soothing statements, trying to contain the situation and ensure the participation of all teams.
"The Angolan government wants to offer all its compassion and to give moral support to the Togolese delegation," the high-profile official was quoted by L'Equipe as saying.
Kassoma also stressed that the injured people of the Togolese delegation had been receiving 'the best medical care'.
On the other hand, secretary general of the Front for the Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) Antonio Bento Bembe said the Angolan government 'may have underestimated' the separatist group.
Right after the shooting, FLEC has claimed responsibility for the attack which occurred two days before CAN kicks off.
Angola have suffered under civil war for decades before it was formally brought to an end in 2002.
They improved their infrastructure to stage CAN for the first time in their history.
South Africa, who are also no strangers to safety concerns, will become the first country to host the World Cup, which will take place next summer.