U.S. Defence Secretary lauds Mozambique’s leadership on regional security

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U.S. Defence Secretary lauds Mozambique’s leadership on regional security

8:51 CAT | 26 Sep 2023

The United States' Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III walks with Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi during a meeting at the Pentagon, Sept. 22, 2023. [Photo: Air Force Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro]

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Friday thanked Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi for his leadership in promoting the role of women in security during an enhanced honor cordon and meeting at the Pentagon.

Austin also thanked him for signing the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation in 2019, that facilitated ending years of conflict in his nation.

The U.S. Defence Secretary also congratulated Nyusi on signing another compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and his leadership at the U.N. Security Council on a range of issues, including climate change.

The U.S. Defence Department also shares Mozambique’s determination to prevent illegal fishing and trafficking in the region and supports the two nations’ partnership on strengthening maritime security and promoting regional stability, Austin said.

READ: Watch: U.S., Mozambique sign $537M Connectivity and Coastal Resilience Compact

“We’re aligning diplomacy, development and defense to get after the forces that fuel instability and insecurity,” Austin said.

Austin noted that the U.S. and Mozambique have both suffered from terrorism.

“We’re deeply grateful for your partnership to counter violent extremist groups in northern Mozambique and your cooperation with the Southern Africa Development Community, the European Union and others,” Austin said, adding that he hopes to deepen military training between the two nations.

Nyusi thanked Austin, President Joe Biden and Congress for their support in areas ranging from the economy, health and security.

He said Mozambique will continue its efforts to counter terrorism and improve maritime domain awareness. The nation also welcomes military-to-military training with the U.S. and invites U.S. Navy vessels to make port visits to Mozambique, Nyusi said.

ALSO READ: Mozambique: President calls for more U.S. support for forces on the ground in Cabo Delgado

I enjoyed hosting President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi at the Pentagon today to discuss advancing the U.S.-Mozambique defense and security relationship. President Nyusi is a leader of multilateral and #AfricanLedSolutions. https://t.co/6GBtrPxQxt pic.twitter.com/A5z4z86TZN

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) September 22, 2023