US Senators visiting Mozambique advocate dialogue as a means to achieve peace

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US Senators visiting Mozambique advocate dialogue as a means to achieve peace

4:15 CAT | 16 Feb 2016

O País / Senator Jeff Flake

A delegation from the US Congress currently touring southern Africa has said that only an environment conducive to genuine peace talks can ensure the continued growth that Mozambique has been experiencing over the past two decades, reports AIM.

Such was the sentiment expressed on Monday February 15 in Maputo, after the delegation met Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Oldemiro Baloi.

“We are pleased with the legislative advances the country has achieved in recent years. It is in our interest that peace be established and that various sectors of society are not blamed,” said the head of the US delegation, Arizona Senator Jeff Flake.

He said the US wanted Mozambique to continues to grow and be an attractive destination for investment and that his country would continue, through its embassy, to positively support efforts for peace.

“We therefore call for urgent dialogue between the parties involved, as this is the best way to resolve conflicts,” Flake said.

Sen. Flake also addressed other problems facing the country, such as poaching, environmental degradation and organized crime.

“We have been witnessing an improvement in strategies to combat poaching and note that you are still working for the parks and reserves to become less vulnerable, creating favourable environments for bio-diverse conservation,” said the senator, adding that “environmental crimes” must still be reduced considerably.

Sen. Flake said that Mozambique has gone through difficult times during its 16-year war, a scenario which cannot be allowed to repeat itself and jeopardize the country’s economic development. Improvements in the quality of life, the development of infrastructure, tourism, growth as a whole and all the progress made in recent years were at risk.

“Tourism requires peace most of all, because tourists need first and foremost to feel safe. We will therefore continue to redouble our efforts for peace, and reiterate the need for mutual understanding,” Flake said.

The visit is part of a four nation mission covering Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Making the delegation are Senator Jeff Flake, Senator Thad Cochran, Senator Christopher Coons, Senator Ben Cardin, and Representative Adam Schiff.

Senator Jeff Flake (Arizona) sits on the Judiciary Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee where he serves as chairman of Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Jeff served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2013 representing the East Valley region of Arizona.

Source: AIM / The Zimbabwean