SADC Executive Secretary Visits Mozambique to Oversee Drawdown and Exit Plan of SAMIM Mission
H.E Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), arrived in Pemba on an official visit to the SADC Mission in the Republic of Mozambique (SAMIM).
The visit aims to oversee and appreciate the ongoing process of Drawdown and Exit Plan from the Cabo Delgado Province.
The SADC Mission in Mozambique was deployed in Cabo Delgado since July 18th, 2021, following the approval of the mandate by the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Maputo on June 23th, 2021.
The mission was a regional response to support Mozambique in combating terrorism and acts of violent extremism, particularly in districts of the Cabo Delgado Province.
The visit follows the decision made during the 43rd Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of States and Government held on August 17th, 2023, in Luanda, Republic of Angola.
The summit endorsed the decision of the Organ Troika Summit on August 16th, 2023, to extend the SAMIM Mandate by 12 months from July 16th, 2023, to July 15th, 2024.
The Summit directed SAMIM leadership to commence a phased drawdown by December 15th, 2023, and complete withdrawal by July 15th, 2024.
During the visit, the Executive Secretary received briefings from SAMIM leadership on challenges and lessons learned during the execution of the mandate. The objective is to draw recommendations for SAMIM and future SADC missions.
The mission’s primary goal is to leave a secure and stable environment, ensuring the safety of civilians in the Cabo Delgado Province.
The drawdown and exit plan mark significant steps in the regional response to the security challenges faced by Mozambique.
The SADC Executive Secretary expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting Mozambique and ensuring a smooth transition as SAMIM concludes its mandate in the region.
