The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has officially withdrawn from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), marking the first troop contributing country (TCC) to exit ahead of the mission’s scheduled closure in July. This move comes three years after the initial deployment in the east African nation, signaling a significant shift in the regional security landscape.
The BDF contingent, operational in Cabo Delgado since October of the previous year, was part of a broader offensive to neutralize terrorist threats and implement quick impact projects aimed at improving the lives of locals returning after displacement by terrorist activities. The withdrawal was facilitated by the Zambian Airforce, which transported the troops out of the country.
During a farewell parade on April 5th, SAMIM’s Acting Head of Mission, Mr. J Shikongo Shikongo, and Force Commander Major General Patrick Dube commended the Botswana contingent for their “commitment, resilience, and determination.” They emphasized that the collective efforts of the mission would leave a “positive and lasting impact” on the region.
The multi-pronged SADC mission, which includes Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, aims to support Mozambique in combating terrorism and violent extremism by restoring security and creating a stable environment in Cabo Delgado. The mandate extends to maintaining peace, restoring law and order, and collaborating with humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those affected by terrorism, including internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Financial challenges have been cited as the primary reason for the SAMIM shutdown, with Mozambique Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo stating that the mission is struggling with funding issues. The decision to prioritize the SADC mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) over SAMIM was influenced by these budgetary constraints.
In response to the impending departure of SAMIM, Rwanda has announced plans to dispatch additional troops to Mozambique. Brigadier General Patrick Karuretwa of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has outlined a strategy to train Mozambican soldiers and increase the mobility of Rwandan forces to cover the areas previously secured by SAMIM. The European Union has pledged approximately 20 million euros to support the logistics of this new Rwandan contingent, as part of its global peace promotion program. In 2022, the EU provided €45 million funding to Mozambique, as well as training. While Portugal provided €40 million.
Despite a general decline in violence in Cabo Delgado, recent spikes in attacks have led to the displacement of thousands of people. The region has been grappling with conflict-induced displacement since 2017, and the latest developments indicate a continued need for international support and cooperation to ensure long-term stability and security.