By Jorge Joaquim The SADC heads of state meeting in Lilongwe on Wednesday agreed to extend the mandate of the bloc's military mission in Mozambique, for 3 months. The summit "noted the good progress made since the deployment of the SADC Mission in Mozambique and extended its mandate with associated budgetary implications, and that it will continue to monitor the situation going forwards," a statement said. South African president and chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation Cyril Ramaphosa was one who before defended extending the mandate of forces supporting Mozambique and fighting the terrorists. For Ramaphosa, the mission — which was supposed to expire on 15 January — should continue, as restoring peace in Mozambique will help stabilize the region. "We are noticing significant progress in the field of security, which brings the possibility of a resumption of normal life in Cabo Delgado,” he said. Ramaphosa added, “Our mission is now to extend the mission on the ground." For the Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi the extension of the SAMIM mission demonstrates the spirit of unity and solidarity that the SADC member countries have with the Mozambican people.