Somalia: Mozambican named AU envoy, expected to give anti-terrorism efforts ‘impetus’

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 8, 2015 (Garowe Online)-The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has replaced Nigerian envoy, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou with career diplomat Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira as Somalia mission tries to expedite gains against Al Shabaab militants, Garowe Online reports.

Ambassador Jose Madeira of Mozambique is expected to give fresh impetuses to counter-terrorism efforts and Somalia’s campaign to fend off now-beleaguered militants threats in central and southern Somalia.

In a press statement sent to the media, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma saluted the leadership and commitment of outgoing AU envoy and head of African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) Sidikou, whom under his tenure, allied forces wrested large chunks of territory and war-ravaged East African nation made significant progress in political front.

Born on April 4, 1954, new AU ambassador and head of AMISOM worked on diplomatic and peace frameworks that saw him involved in RENAMO, Arusha and South Sudan negotiations.

Jose Madeira is mandated with overseeing African Union operations, and maintaining constant interaction with Somalia’s political leadership and other stakeholders.

Over 22,000-strong peacekeepers including troops contributed by frontline countries prop-up Somali National Army (SNA) in the fight against militants.

GAROWE ONLINE