Opening remarks by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, at The Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika Plus the Republic of Mozambique In Pretoria – 03 April 2022
Incoming Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ, Honourable Madame Netumbo Nandi-Ndwaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia;
Outgoing Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ, Honourable Dr Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Botswana;
Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Honourable Madame Nancy Tembo
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi;
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, Honourable Madame Veronica Macamo Dlhovo;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers present;
Your Excellency Mr Elias Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary;
Head of SAMIM, Professor Molomo;
SAMIM Force Commander, Major General Mankayi; and
Senior Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you back to South Africa to consider the important agenda items before us.
This Extraordinary Ministerial Committee Meeting is the continuation of discussions of the SADC member states regarding support to the Republic of Mozambique, in efforts to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism in the northern region of Cabo Delgado Province.
As you are aware, this Meeting was to consider the agenda for today and make recommendations to the Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit Plus, which was planned for tomorrow, the 4th of April. However, due to the unavailability of the Presidents of Botswana and Mozambique, the Summit segment had to be deferred to a later date. We deemed it important to still proceed with the meetings up to today as preparations were already at an advanced stage. Any inconvenience caused by this short notice change is regretted.
Colleagues,
The Extraordinary SADC Summit in January 2022 made key decisions regarding the SAMIM deployment in Mozambique.
The Summit extended the mandate of SAMIM with additional capability requirements and additional integral personnel for a further 3 months, from 16 January to 15 April 2022, and thereafter de-escalation to Scenario 5 up to 15 July 2022. In that regard, member states made pledges of the required combat equipment and personnel to support SAMIM operations. An additional budget in support of the SAMIM operations was also approved.
The continued commitment and support of member states is highly commended. It signals the premium we all attach to the fight against terrorism, which continues to threaten the gains that the region is making towards integration and socio-economic development. Member States’ efforts are therefore not in vain.
Other key decisions of the Summit were the approval of the Framework for Support to the Government of Mozambique in Addressing Terrorism, which encompasses the thematic areas of Politics and Diplomacy; Economic, Social Development and Humanitarian Assistance; Military, Information, and Intelligence; as well as Public Security, Law and Order. These are indeed key steps that would lead to the
stabilisation of the affected areas in Cabo Delgado province.
The magnitude of our work requires collaboration and support from our mother body the African Union, as well as our International Cooperating Partners. In this regard, we are pleased that the European Union has approved funding for SAMIM to benefit from the African Union Early Responses Mechanism under the auspices of the African Peace Facility. Also, the confirmation of the availability of non-lethal equipment at the Continental Logistics Base is welcomed. The Secretariat needs to make follow-ups on this matter as the equipment is urgently required in the theatre of operation.
Colleagues,
The SAMIM Report before us highlights the encouraging progress made in its intervention, which has brought stability to most areas. We commend the cooperation amongst the forces on the ground. Despite this progress, there continues to be challenges, including the need for the fulfilment of pledged capabilities, and additional resources as this mandate will enter Scenario 5 phase.
The SAMIM Report also provides an appraisal of the Framework for Support to the Government of Mozambique in Addressing Terrorism. There is indeed notable progress in all thematic areas, albeit with some challenges and capacity gaps. I trust that our deliberations today will assist in finding solutions, and closing the gaps.
We are pleased with the inauguration of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre on 28 February 2022 in the United Republic of Tanzania, as an important step towards strengthening our regional security architecture, working in synergy with the Regional Early Warning Centre.
I wish to recognise and appreciate the presence of the SAMIM leadership whose input is critical to this work.
I declare the meeting opened and look forward to your deliberations as we discuss the important agenda before us.
I thank you
