The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax on 16 July, 2021 presented instruments of authority for deployment of the SADC Standby Force to the Republic of Mozambique, marking a major step in the regional effort to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the northern part of Cabo Delgado Provide in Mozambique.
H.E. Dr Tax presented the instruments of authority as mandated by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to the Force Commander of the SADC Mission in Mozambique. The Force Commander will work closely with the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
In her remarks, Dr Tax highlighted that SADC has high confidence in the capabilities and abilities of the leaders who have been appointed to lead the SADC Mission to lead men and women in uniform to achieve the desired objectives of attaining peace and security in Cabo Delgado, and creating a conducive peaceful environment for the people of Mozambique, and of the region at large.
The Executive Secretary expressed SADC’s commitment to support the Mission to fulfill its mandate, and urged the Force Commander and his team to perform their duties with zeal and diligence for the preservation of peace and security in Mozambique and the SADC region.
The Force Commander of the SADC Mission in Mozambique, said he was humbled with the trust and confidence bestowed upon him to lead the Mission and pledged not to disappoint the region by executing the mandate with utmost diligence and commitment.
The presentation of instruments of authority, follows the approval by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to deploy a SADC Standby Force to the Republic of Mozambique in support of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.
The ceremony was attended by, among others, Honourable Thomas Kagiso Mmusi, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security of the Republic of Botswana, Professor Mpho G. Molomo, Secretary for Political Affairs, Office of the President, and the Special Representative for the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation/for the SADC Standby Force in the Republic of Mozambique, Senior Officials from the Botswana Defence Force and South Africa National Defence Force, and officers from the SADC Secretariat.
