Mozambique: Nyusi hopes for “firm intent” from AU against terrorism

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Mozambique: Nyusi hopes for “firm intent” from AU against terrorism

9:08 CAT | 08 Feb 2021

Photo: Noticias

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday said he hopes to see an expression of “firm intent” on the part of the African Union in the fight against terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

He was speaking during the opening session of the 34th summit of the African Union, held in a virtual format, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the first terrorist raids in Cabo Delgado, in October 2017, the African Union has said nothing about providing Mozambique with any concrete support.

In its search for logistical assistance and training for the defence and security forces, Mozambique has made an appeal to the European Union, However, Nyusi also believes that the African Union has a role to play to help combat terrorism.

“With regard to the challenges in the area of peace and security, allow me to stress the threat of terrorism and violent radicalism, of which my country has been a victim”, said Nyusi.

He added that Mozambique is grateful to the solidarity expressed by African Union member states.

Mozambicans, he continued, were now sure that, in addition to repudiating terrorism, the African Union summit would express a “firm intention” to eradicate “these agents of evil and their catalysts, wherever they may hide on our continent”.

He promised that Mozambique will keep the African Union peace and security commission informed about the terrorist situation in Cabo Delgado.

Inevitably, the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the main topics at the summit, and Nyusi praised the efforts made by the outgoing AU chairperson, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensue vaccine supplies for the continent.

“The start this month to the distribution of about 90 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, under the Covax initiative, seeking to cover in particular the most vulnerable groups and the front line health professionals, under your (Ramaphosa’s) leadership, is the greatest campaign ever of simultaneous vaccination on our continent”, said Nyusi.

“Mozambique, as a country, and as the current chair of SADC (Southern African Development Community), is doing everything it can with the vaccination plan, and the storage and distribution systems, to ensure that the vaccines can move rapidly from the point of entry to the beneficiaries, our people”, he declared.

Source: AIM