Leaders and representatives of 11 southern African states extended the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) by 12 months this week at the virtually-held SADC Extraordinary Summit, according to the summit communiqué.
The summit also underlined the amelioration of the security situation and the decline in terrorist activity in the province of Cabo Delgado in the north of Mozambique, which was reached due to the SAMIM deployment, according to the document.
The extension of the SADC Mission in Mozambique demonstrates its dedication to ensure sustainable security in the region, the summit outlined.
The leader of Namibia, Hage Geingob, also expressed gratitude to the peacemaking soldiers in Mozambique and the partners of the mission.
“We owe our debt to the men and women in uniform, under the command of the SADC Force Intervention Brigade, in particular from the republics of Malawi, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania for their tireless efforts towards the restoration of peace and stability in that region,” Geingob said.
What is the Mission in Mozambique?
The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was deployed on July 15, 2021, following approval by the Extraordinary SADC Summit held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, to support the government's fight against terrorism and acts of violent extremism caused by the Daesh*-linked insurgency.
Moreover, within the framework of the mission, together with humanitarian agencies, measures are taken to provide assistance to citizens affected by terrorist attacks, according to the SADC website.
Since the beginning of the mission, certain successes have been achieved, including the recapture of villages, the seizure of terrorist bases, their weapons and ammunition, which have facilitated the process of restoring peace and stability in the region and accelerated the return of the local population to normal life as is outlined on the organization's website.
Troops from eight African countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe) are deployed in Mozambique as part of the SAMIM. A brigade-sized force (approximately 3,000 troops) with maritime and air elements attached deployed in the northern part of the country where they provide security and provide humanitarian assistance to the local population.
Since October 2017, jihadists have been attempting to establish an Islamic state in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique. The civilian population has been the main target of terrorist attacks.
Bringing Peace to Democratic Republic of Congo
In addition to the extension of the SADC Mission in Mozambique, African leaders and representatives at this week's summit approved the mandate for the deployment of the SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SADRC), according to the summit communiqué.
Geingob expressed the SADC bloc's determination to fight terrorism and establish security in the DRC.
“Our collective resolve as a bloc is that security, safety and the stability of our region must be safeguarded at all costs. The terrorist activities that have continued to plague the Eastern DRC have resulted in the death of well over five million people and millions displaced," the Namibian leader said.
In addition, he voiced concern about the impact of the conflict in the eastern DRC on other countries in southern Africa.
"The impact of the conflict in Eastern DRC has been felt across our region, as many of our countries are hosting refugees from [the] DRC, rendering them the necessary support to start new lives," the head of Namibia said.
The deployment of the SADRC is scheduled for September 30 in preparation for the upcoming national elections in the DRC on December 20, local media reported.
The North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC are the battlefields for numerous armed groups fighting for control of the territory and its resources. In the latest flare-up of the long-running conflict, the main adversary of the government forces is the March 23 Movement (M23 group). As a result of the confrontation, many Congolese in the region have been killed or displaced.
*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia