The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi has reaffirmed the Region’s unwavering commitment of ensuring lasting peace and security as one of the top priorities to the SADC regional development agenda.
The Executive Secretary said this during his three-day visit to the Republic of Mozambique which he undertook from 14 to 16 November, 2022 where he visited personnel and facilities of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to encourage the troops and appreciate the progress of the Mission.
Addressing the SAMIM troops in their areas of operation in the districts of Mueda, Macomia, Nangade and Pemba, H.E. Magosi thanked the troops for their service and sacrifices on behalf of over 350 million SADC citizens. He emphasised that serving in SAMIM is a noble calling to protect lives of children and women who bear the brunt of the impact of terrorism and violent extremism.
H.E. Magosi urged SAMIM troops to continue operating professionally to sustain the gains made since the deployment of the Mission in June, 2021 so as to pave way for durable peace, security and socio-economic development in the effected districts of the Cabo Delgado Province and the SADC region as a whole.
He added that, while commendable progress has been made to deny terrorists freedom of movement and allowing the population to access social services, the work of eliminating acts of terrorism is not completed. On this note, the Executive Secretary encouraged SAMIM personnel never to waiver in the pursuit of eliminating acts of terrorism and violent extremism that threaten peace, security and prosperity of the region.
Speaking to the SAMIM personnel who are receiving treatment in the hospital, the Executive Secretary thanked them for their bravery and willingness to serve and wished them speedy recovery. The Executive Secretary also thanked doctors, nurses and support staff for taking care of those injured as well as those suffering from various illnesses while in the Mission. He also paid tribute to the SAMIM personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Upon arrival at one of the operation areas, the Executive Secretary witnessed first-hand the SAMIM troops pursuing the terrorists who had attempted an attack but retreated, an indication of the continuing threat that terrorists pose to the population. The Executive Secretary pledged support to continue supporting the Mission to effectively execute its mandate of supporting the Republic of Mozambique to restore peace and security.
Turning their turns, Head of the Mission, His Excellency Ambassador Professor Mpho Molomo and SAMIM Force Commander, Major General Xolani Mankayi expressed gratitude to the Executive Secretary for the courageous visit to the SAMIM operation area and underscored that the visit, will go a long way in boosting the morale of the troops and supporting personnel.
His Excellency Ambassador Professor Mpho Molomo said the visit demonstrates the value that the Executive Secretary and the SADC leadership attach to the work of SAMIM and emphasised that the SADC region can only prosper in a safe and secure environment where infrastructure and investments are secured and citizens are free to undertake their social and economic activities, especially during this cashew harvesting season in the Northern part of Mozambique.
During the visit, the Executive Secretary paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique who expressed gratitude to SADC for continued support to Mozambique and pledged his Government’s continued cooperation and support to the Mission.
SAMIM comprises troops and personnel from SADC Member States namely, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, working in collaboration with the Forças Armadas de Defesa de Moçambique (FADM) and other troops deployed to Cabo Delgado.
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About SAMIM
The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was approved by the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 23 June 2021 as a regional response to support the Republic of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in some districts of the Cabo Delgado Province.
Among the key objectives, SAMIM is mandated to support the Republic of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado, by neutralising terrorist threat and restoring security in order to create a secure environment; strengthen peace and maintain security, restore law and order in affected areas of Cabo Delgado Province; and provide support to the Republic of Mozambique in collaboration with humanitarian agencies to continue providing humanitarian relief to population affected by terrorist activities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs).
