The SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, has hailed the landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed between the AU, regional economic communities and mechanisms.  

The agreement was signed during the 5th African Union Inter-Regional Economic Communities Knowledge Exchange Policy session in El-Alamein, Egypt, over the weekend.

The MoU on the Use of the African Standby Force marked a milestone in strengthening Africa's collective peace and security architecture.  

The Chairperson of the Inter-Regional Economic Communities Coordination Mechanism, Elias Magosi, said the agreement strengthens cooperation between the AU and regional bodies.

Describing the signing ceremony as a significant achievement for regional cooperation, Magosi said the development ensures more effective responses to Africa's security challenges.

"The signing of the MOU is a critical milestone for SADC because SADC is a key part of the continental and regional economic bodies. If you look at the continent as a whole, SADC stands out as the beacon of hope because of its general stability when compared to other regions; something is working there. Therefore, we need this MOU to make sure that we work closely with the African Union, as our parent body, to deploy and also to look for resources collectively and together. We are looking for peacekeeping; we are doing the same collectively."

The signing officially launches the post-operationalisation phase of the African Standby Force and reaffirms the commitment of the AU, RECs and RMs towards advancing the African Peace and Security Architecture, the Silencing of Guns Initiative and Agenda 2063.