South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday lauded significant progress made in tackling a militant insurgency in northern Mozambique after the deployment of a multinational force in the country last year, reported Africa News.
Ramaphosa, who chairs the defense and security section of the Southern African Development (SADC) bloc, made the remark during a summit called to assess developments in the region.
Last year, SADC member countries and Rwanda came together to support and assist the Mozambican army to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism, bringing in more than 3,000 troops.
“Since the deployment… significant progress has been made,” the South African president said in opening remarks at the two-day summit.
“The security situation in Cabo Delgado is improving, which has allowed for some internally-displaced persons to return to their homes and resume their normal lives,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that the regional forces that have been operating alongside Mozambican troops have helped to create a safe gateway for bringing humanitarian aid into jihadist-hit areas.
The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was deployed in July last year. Its mandate was extended indefinitely in October.
The South African president went on to appreciate SADC member countries that have supported through the deployment of personnel and equipment. He noted that the bloc has been saddened by the casualties suffered by SAMIM and the Mozambican Defence Force.
Ramaphosa said terrorism cannot be allowed to continue to grow in any part of the SADC region as it will undo the stability and progress achieved in its four decades of existence.
Cabo Delgado, which is the northernmost gas-rich province of Mozambique bordering Tanzania, has been witnessing attacks by Islamic State-linked militants since 2017. The atrocities include mass abductions, massacres, beheadings, and the burning of homes. More than 3,500 people have died and over 820,000 have fled their homes so far.
