Pan Afrikan Watchman

Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been urged to concritise its interventions in terms of a regional approach and support to Mozambique in combating terrorism.

Speaking Wednesday April 7th 2021 in Maputo, Mozambique during the extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Organ Troika, SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Lawrence Tax told the ministers that they would be expected to consider proposals for a coordinated regional approach to support Mozambique in combating terrorism in the Cabo Delgado province, to ensure that  it does not spill into the SADC region.

The meeting of the Ministers of the Organ Troika was held to prepare for the Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit plus Mozambique that would be followed by the Extraordinary Double Troika Summit. 

Dr Tax explained that the ministers’ meeting follows the Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit plus Force Intervention Brigade – Troop Contributing Countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Mozambique (EO-OTS Plus) that was held in Gaborone, Botswana on 27 November 2020.

It also comes on the heels of a consultative Organ Troika plus Mozambique, and Tanzania Summit that was held on 14 December 2020, in Maputo.

Dr Tax used the opportunity when welcoming the ministers to also to express SADC’s deepest condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique for the loss of innocent lives, disruption of livelihoods, displacement of communities, and damage to socio-economic infrastructure following the most recent series of terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.

“Noting the persistent attacks, the urgency of enhancing security measures through a coordinated regional approach and humanitarian support cannot be overemphasized”, Dr Tax said.

The fact that the meeting was held face to face in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic was a demonstration of solidarity with the people of Mozambique and commitment to SADC cooperation and integration.

The meeting was graced by Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs and Co-operation Dr. Lemogang Kwape who is also Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation as well as

Senior Officials, Chiefs of Security Institutions and delegates from SADC Member States and SADC Secretariat Staff.