South Africa ready to join standby force in Mozambique called upon, says Ramaphosa – Watch

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South Africa ready to join standby force in Mozambique called upon, says Ramaphosa – Watch

7:23 CAT | 10 May 2021

Screen grab: SABC

South Africa will always be ready to fulfil its obligations if called upon to do so, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said, and will assist in Mozambique if requested by continental and regional bodies.

“When we are called on to join a standby force, South Africa will always be ready to fulfil our own continental and regional obligations, but always acting in accordance with our regional or continental bodies.”

Ramaphosa was answering questions in a virtual session of the South African parliament.

“It is therefore vital that countries in the southern African region, and indeed the African continent, help both to end the conflict and to assess, and rather address, the socio-economic and political factors that fuel the violence,” he added.

Ramaphosa was answer parliamentary questions six weeks after the town of Palma in northern Mozambique was attacked by fighters linked to the Islamic State, killing dozens of people and triggering an exodus that included workers in a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas project led by French multinational Total.

“We at the SADC want to attract investors to southern Africa, and when companies like Total and others withdraw as a result of insurgency activities, it is a matter of great concern to us,” Ramaphosa said. By ensuring the security of the entire SADC region, “we want to ensure that there is economic growth in our region, in our various countries, as well as on our continent”.

The European Union (EU) is also considering sending a military training mission to Mozambique, where Portuguese specialists are already present.

The head of EU diplomacy confirmed that the sending of a support mission to Mozambique will take place “as quickly as possible”, as the situation in Cabo Delgado requires a sense of urgency that is not always obvious.

“The Government of Mozambique has been asking for help, and we will try to send a training mission … in order to help contain the security situation,” Josep Borrell said at the end of a meeting of SADC defence ministers this Thursday and Friday, when assistance to Mozambique was on the agenda.

Asked if a force could be deployed by the end of this year, Borrell said that that time frame was too long, and that the EU should act earlier.

“If we are unable to send a mission before the end of the year, I would not consider this a good result. I hope we can do it before that,” Borrell told the press conference.

Source: VOA Portugues / SABC News