The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has extended its military mission in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, to continue fighting terrorism.
The decision was made during a virtual session of SADC heads of state and government. The mission, called SAMIM, will be extended for 12 months starting from July 16.
The main objective of the extension is to build on the progress made and ensure the safe return of displaced people who fled due to the conflict in Cabo Delgado.
The SADC leaders praised the Mozambican government for its efforts in developing strategies to strengthen the areas reclaimed from insurgents.
The military response, involving SADC member countries and Rwanda, began in July 2021 to combat the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
While some districts near gas projects have been liberated, there are still isolated attacks in the southern region and neighboring Nampula province.
The conflict in Cabo Delgado, attributed to the Islamic State, has displaced around one million people and claimed approximately 4,000 lives over nearly six years, according to the UNHCR and the ACLED conflict registration project.
In addition to Mozambique, the SADC also discussed the worsening security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They called for an immediate end to hostilities by armed groups in the region and approved the deployment of a SADC mission to address the instability.
Despite the presence of a UN mission with 16,000 personnel, the DRC has been plagued by conflict for over two decades, fueled by rebel militias and the army.