Luanda - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) is on a three-day solidarity field mission to the Republic of Mozambique, with the aim of gathering first-hand information on the situation in Cabo Delgado province.
The 15 members of the PSC, namely Angola (which takes over the presidency this July), Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Gambia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda, are interested in seeing how much progress has been made so far in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.
The delegation led by the Angolan ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Miguel César Bembe, intends to assess the impact of the withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).
The delegation's programme includes consultations with government bodies and meetings with civil society organisations, religious institutions, humanitarian aid agencies and Mozambique's bilateral development partners
The mission, which is accompanied by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mr Bankole Adeoye, is due to hear from the group of African ambassadors accredited to Mozambique, as well as representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states and UN agencies in the country.
The PSC initiative is part of the fulfilment of its mandate to promote peace, security and stability in Africa and in the context of promoting the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Measures to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2030, says a press release from the Angolan diplomatic representation in Addis Ababa to which ANGOP had access this Monday.
It also expresses the AU's solidarity with the people and government of Mozambique and reaffirms the continental organisation's commitment to continue supporting them in their unceasing efforts to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism in order to restore lasting peace and stability to the country, the benefits of which extend to the Southern African region and the African continent as a whole.
The PSC also suggests drawing practical lessons from Mozambique, including in the implementation of demobilisation and social reintegration programmes for ex-military personnel. DC/DAN/DOJ
