SADC launches military mission to support Mozambique

On Monday August 9, 2021, Southern African Development Community (SADC) inaugurated a regional military mission to help Mozambique in the fight against terrorists who have occupied a number of towns in the region of Cabo Delgado for almost 4 years. The SADC forces will operate together with Rwandan and Mozambican forces in the war to liberate Cabo Delgado region. 

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, launched the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) at an event in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado province.

"We reaffirm our joint commitment to fight against violent extremism together with the Rwandan forces," said Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi.  President Nyusi mentioned the recent victories by the Rwanda and Mozambican troops against the insurgents, where the forces from the two countries captured the cities of Awasse and Mocimboa da Praia. 

"The control of Mocimboa da Praia town and the gradual return of movement between Palma and Mocimboa da Praia is the product of the bravery and concerted effort of the forces with the aim of quickly returning stability to the region," said President Nyusi.

Meanwhile, in a number of African mainstream and social media platforms, praised the Rwandan and Mozambican forces have been for the capture of Macimboa da Praia that has been a major stronghold of the insurgency for more than 2 years. The port city is where the first rebel attacks were carried out in October 2017. Macimboa da Praia holds the district headquarters and an airport. 

On social media, the President of the African Development Bank Group Akinwumi Adesina, posted a message on his twitter account saying that,  “I highly commend the gallant troops of Rwanda for liberating Praia from terrorists. Without security there cannot be development. Thank you President @PaulKagame for your incredible leadership & sacrifice. Rwanda has again made Africa very proud.”

Comments from many people on the African continent expressed gratitude and optimism that Africans are now capable of resolving their problems without involvement of western powers. On the other hand, others questioned why western media is silent when Mozambique is being liberated from terrorists who have caused insecurity in the Cabo Delgado region for years.

Michael Rubin a senior fellow at the American Enterprise wrote that,   “the capture of Mocímboa da Praia is a major victory and one that not only Mozambicans and Rwandans should celebrate but, indeed, the entire civilized world. Insurgencies do not disappear when the world ignores them; rather, they fester and expand….. The Rwandans, however, are demonstrating what leadership means.”

Rwanda maintains a force of 1,000 soldiers in Mozambique while Botswana and South Africa contributed 300 and 1,500 respectively.  The European Union (EU) approved a military training mission in Mozambique to support the country's armed forces - in military training, including operational preparation, specialised training in counter-terrorism, and training and education in the protection of civilians.

The terrorists estimated at 3,000 in number have killed an estimated 2,000 people in the war torn region of Cabo Delgado while more than 800,000 have been displaced.