The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mozambique and Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on the margins of the After Action Review of AMANI AFRIC

The African Union Commissionerfor Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador SmailChergui, was received at the Mozambican Ministry of Foreign Affairs by H.E the Minister Olderm iro Baloi and Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The Commissioner and the Minister exchanged views on the holding of the After Action Review (AAR) of the Amani Africa II Exercise and on security challenges facing the continent, most notably, the rise of terrorist and extremists groups. They also discussed the progress made in the political and socio-economic developments in the country. Reflecting on the last act of violence perpetrated in some parts of the country, including the towns of Maringue and Beira, which resulted in the loss of civilian lives and destruction of property, the Commissioner reaffirmed the African Union's full support and confidence in the ability of the Government to secure peaceful solution to this challenge and to maintain the tremendous progress that the country has achieved over the past decades. The Commissioner further underscored the necessity for the immediate cessation of such unacceptable violence and called on those behind these acts to embrace peace by responding to the offer of the Government to resume dialogue. Commissioner Chergui reaffirmed the full ability of the Government to successfully manage this process through national means.

The Commissioner expressed the African Union's gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique for their contribution to the maintenance of peace and security in the SADC region and the continent as a whole.