On the southern part of the African continent, the regional organization of SADC presented on Thursday afternoon, April 8, the conclusions of its extraordinary summit, which was organized as soon as possible on security and humanitarian crises in Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique. Two weeks after the spectacular and deadly attack on Palma by a group claiming to be international jihadists, five leaders from the Maputo region were together with Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi. No major progress, but the announcement of a technical mission and two new dates for meetings.
“It’s a little disappointing” is the comment from a regional security policy analyst. “A little frustrating, but not surprising,” commented another.
Mozambique, which currently chairs the SADC, would still oppose any form of intervention.
President Filipe Nyusi closed the door on Wednesday by declaring in a speech to the nation that all external assistance is there to support us, not to replace us.
SADC communication uses the usual diplomatic language. The leaders present in Maputo strongly condemn terrorism, express their solidarity and compassion for the victims and demand a “proportionate” regional response.
The only concrete announcement: the immediate deployment, according to the statement, of a technical mission to Mozambique.
Civilians or soldiers, what nationality? No details about its composition.
Two new meetings were announced: the Council of Ministers on 28 April, the Summit of Heads of State on 29, three weeks before.
According to International Crisis Group analyst Piers Pigou, it is a meeting that ends with the announcement of a new meeting, but this time the schedule is set and it is tight.
And if Mozambique slows down as much as possible of any regional decision that is considered intrusive, the country is now engaged in a follow-up process with SADC, which it has always tried to avoid.
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