Cape Town – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) believes the intervention in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province is working. This was confirmed at the regional bloc’s Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit in Pretoria this week.
The summit commended member states that have contributed personnel, equipment and financial resources for the deployment of the SADC Mission in Mozambique to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism, and achievements made, since the deployment of the mission in July, 2021.
The summit also resolved to consider a way forward in the deployment of the SADC Mission in the Northern Region of Cabo Delgado Province.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, received SADC Heads of State and Government taking part in the Extraordinary Summit.
Elias Mpedi Magosi of Botswana, the newly elected Executive Secretary of SADC, whose tenure of office started on September 1, was sworn in as the seventh SADC Executive Secretary in August.
Magosi said peace and security are the foundational cornerstones to achieve SADC’s socio-economic development, poverty eradication and regional integration, in pursuit of the SADC Vision 2050, adding that without peace and security, development in the region would remain a challenge.
Ramaphosa took to Twitter saying: “I would like to congratulate the new SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr Elias Magosi on his appointment. South Africa stands ready to provide you with all the necessary support for the successful execution of your mandate.”
Ramaphosa said that the commitment, solidarity and collective sense of community of members of the SADC were splendidly displayed by the generous support of member countries that contributed personnel to the SADC Rapid Force, adding that he looks forward to the members’ deliberations on the important agenda before them.
The SADC Extraordinary Summit, held on June 23 in Maputo, approved the deployment of the SADC Standby Force Rapid Deployment Capability Mission in Mozambique, from July 15, 2021, with a mandate to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism in the Cabo Delgado Province, said Ramaphosa.
“As we deal with the security situation in support of our sister country, the Republic of Mozambique, we are confident that, like in other SADC undertakings, security and stability in Mozambique will be restored,” added Ramaphosa.
The summit expressed deep condolences to the families and governments of the Republic of Botswana and the United Republic of Tanzania for the loss of three soldiers who were serving under the SAMIM (The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique).
The summit approved the extension of the SAMIM to continue with offensive operations against terrorists and violent extremists, to consolidate stability of security and create a conducive environment for resettlement of the population and facilitate humanitarian assistance operations and sustainable development.
The summit in addition, urged member states, in collaboration with humanitarian agencies, to continue providing humanitarian relief to the population affected by the terrorist attacks, including internally displaced persons.
Members also expressed unwavering commitment to continue supporting the Republic of Mozambique in achieving peace and security in some districts of the central and northern Cabo Delgado province.
SADC said the summit acknowledged the gratitude of the government of the Republic of Mozambique for the region’s contribution in fighting terrorism.
Others who attended the summit included Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia and Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation; Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana and Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation; and Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and Outgoing Chairperson of SADC.
In other SADC related matters, the regional bloc also recently called for a need for joint assessments between and among Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States to pool resources together and make use of the Project Preparation Development Facility (PPDF) to develop bankable investment-ready water sector projects while capacity is being developed.
The PPDF is a European Union-funded programme which supports SADC Member States to undertake feasibility, technical and engineering designs, environmental and social impact assessment studies, as well as preparation of tender documents and transaction advisory services to make projects bankable for financing and implementation.
The call to make use of the PPDF came out of the 9th SADC River Basin Organisations/Shared Watercourse Institutions (RBOs/SWIs) Workshop convened on September 22 and September 23 this year, by the SADC in collaboration with the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM). Technical support came from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA).
African News Agency (ANA)