GIGABA’S WIFE TO TESTIFY AT INQUIRY
THE Extraordinary Double Troika Summit of heads of state and the South African Development Community (SADC) government has directed an immediate technical deployment to Mozambique.
The summit said there should be an Extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ by April 28 that will report to Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit on April 29.
“We condemn the terrorist attacks in strongest terms and affirm that such heinous attacks cannot be allowed to continue without a proportional regional response,” read the statement of the summit.
This followed upheavals in Mozambique after insurgents linked to Islamic State launched attacks that drove civilians out of Palma and the SANDF launched a rescue mission.
This was for South Africans who were caught in the crossfire in the town following violence that claimed over 50 lives.
During the meeting of the regional leaders including President Cyril Ramaphosa, it was decided there should be a technical deployment. The statement was thin on the nature of the technical deployment to Mozambique. But this will be followed up by another meeting at the end of the month.
The summit convened in Maputo, Mozambique was opened by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and it was attended by Ramaphosa who is the incoming chairperson of the organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Malawi President Dr McCarthy Chakwera (in-coming chairperson of SADC), Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa(outgoing chairperson on politics, defence and security co-operation.
Attacks by violent extremists have claimed thousands of lives and displaced 250 000 people since the insurgency began in 2017.
The summit received a report from the organ troika on the security situation in Mozambique and expressed concern about the acts of terrorism perpetrated against innocent civilians and women in Cabo Delgado province.
The summit expressed condolences to all those who lost their loved ones, and reaffirmed SADC’s continual commitment to contribute towards the efforts to bring lasting peace, security, reconciliation and development in Mozambique.
The summit commended Nyusi for convening the meeting.
The UN and other bodies have condemned the violent attacks on Mozambique and called for action.
Some analysts have called for decisive intervention by regional leaders in SADC.
The attacks have also affected the operations of Total in northern Mozambique, where there are projects worth billions of dollars.
The summit said these attacks must be condemned in the strongest terms and will not be tolerated.