Nyusi stresses need for unity in fight against terrorism

Maputo, 24 Mar (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday reiterated the need for greater unity among Mozambicans in the fight against the terrorism that is plaguing parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

“Let us work to block terrorism to the maximum and to minimise suffering. I believe this is the responsibility of Mozambicans – more unity and less noise”, urged Nyusi.

He was speaking at a press conference where he gave a balance of his participation in the extraordinary summit in Lusaka of the “double troika” of the organ of cooperation in politics, defence and security of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) plus the countries contributing to the SADC military missions in Mozambique and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The summit analysed the progress of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which is scheduled to withdraw on 15 July, as well as the mission sent to the DRC.

Nyusi said that the withdrawal of the SAMIM troops does not imply the end of support by SADC member countries to the fight against terrorism in Mozambique. He believed they will continue to work with Mozambique in both bilateral and multilateral forums.

He claimed that the union of all forces in the struggle against terrorism will continue, even after the withdrawal of SAMIM. The SADC mission has been in Mozambique for almost three years, since July 2021.

Asked about the possibility of mobilizing a force to replace SAMIM, Nyusi replied “the true replacement for SAMIM is Mozambican”.

“We are the owners of this country”, he stressed. “At all moments we have to prepare for this”.

But Mozambique will continue to count on the collaboration of other countries and of multilateral organisations.

“The experiences of other countries will always be useful and necessary, and no only at the level of SADC”, said Nyusi. “We are working with other brothers, but also with some multilateral bodies, such as the African Union, the United Nation and the European Union”.

(AIM)

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