The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee on Defence and Security recently concluded its 26th meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, where it commended the leadership and personnel involved in the just-ended SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). This mission, which aimed to restore security and stability in Cabo Delgado, has been a critical endeavor since its deployment in July 2021.
Commendation for Efforts
The commendation from the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) underscores the significant strides made by SADC member states in bringing peace and security back to Mozambique. Despite the withdrawal of SAMIM, the region remains committed to collaborating with the Republic of Mozambique in the ongoing fight against terrorism. The MCO Chairperson, Mulambo Haimbe of Zambia, expressed confidence that the exit of SAMIM would not create a security vacuum, jeopardizing the gains achieved during its deployment.
SAMIM’s Completion and Next Steps
On July 15, SAMIM officially completed its mission. Now, the focus shifts to cleaning up, packing, and returning equipment and materiel to their respective countries. Troop-contributing countries (TCCs), including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are actively involved in this process.
South African military personnel, who remained in Mozambique after the departure of the 6 SA Infantry (SAI) Battalion in June, have been allocated a budget of R984,368,057. This funding covers the costs of dismantling, loading, and transporting equipment and materiel, as well as employment expenses (CoE) until year-end.
Remaining Presence and Tasking
While the specific units still represented in Mozambique are not publicly disclosed, they likely come from the SA Army Support Formation and the Department of Defence (DoD) Logistics Division. These elements previously provided support to the frontline forces, including infantry and limited SA Air Force (SAAF) involvement through helicopters and transport aircraft.
According to Colonel Selinah Rawlins, Acting Director of the SANDF Directorate Corporate Communication, the current task is to “backload all SANDF assets that need to be returned to South Africa.” However, the remaining infantry element will not participate in active patrols or support the Mozambique Armed Forces (FADM), aligning with the overall mission transition.
After Action Review
Last week’s SADC MCO meeting in Lusaka directed an after-action review. Representatives from the regional bloc secretariat, SAMIM leadership, TCCs, and the SADC Regional Peace Training Centre (RPTC) will participate in this process. The review aims to draw lessons and make recommendations to enhance the operational effectiveness of future SADC-mandated missions.
At a parade in Pemba, Mozambique, marking the official closure of SAMIM, Mozambique’s National Defence Minister, Cristovao Chume, expressed gratitude to the regional bloc. The mission played a crucial role in restoring safety and security to Cabo Delgado province, where Ansar al-Sunna Wa Jamma (ASWJ)/Islamic State had held virtual sway over the populace since 2019.
He told an end of mission parade in the Cabo Delgado provincial capital, where SAMIM was headquartered, the multi-nation mission destroyed terrorist bases, reduced the number of terrorist attacks as well as aiding materially in returning life to normal by way of free movement of goods and people and the resumption of economic activity. “While it has not fully achieved its objectives, the mission, along with the Rwandan troops, has contributed significantly for stabilising the region through neutralising terrorists, recapturing villages, dislodging terrorists from their bases, and seizing weapons and equipment.
These efforts have facilitated the creation of conditions for the return of internally displaced persons to their homes and the safer passage of humanitarian aid. Reported deaths also decreased from 1 100 in 2021 to 644 in October 2022…By August 2023, over 570 000 internally displaced persons had successfully returned to their homes,” Tefesehet Hailu wrote for Amani Africa of SAMIM. “Despite these successes, the situation remained precarious,” Hailu wrote, especially after insurgents increased attacks since September 2023. Since January 2024, Islamic State Mozambique (ISM) expanded its renewed campaign under the ‘kill them where you find them’ mantra, resulting in an increase in terrorist activities and internal displacement.
“Compared to the 51 attacks claimed by ISM in 2023, the group has already claimed 57 attacks within the first few months of this year. Additionally, a recent report by ACLED indicates the reestablishment of insurgents on the mainland of Palma district, where the international liquefied natural gas projects are based, for the first time since February 2023.” From December 2023 to mid-March, 110 000 people had been internally displaced. In light of further attacks, Rwanda has decided to deploy another 2 500 troops to Mozambique in addition to the 1 000 troops that were deployed in 2021 under a bilateral arrangement. On 1 July Tanzania confirmed it will maintain its 300-strong force in the northern district of Nangade even after SAMIM’s departure.
Mozambique is now reliant on military assistance from the EU and Rwanda
With SAMIM’s mandate now ended, the onus on security in Cabo Delgado province rests on the shoulders of the FADM with assistance from the Rwandan military deployment. The Rwandan deployments in Cabo Delgado’s Mocimboa da Praia and Palma hosted Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi on 11 and 12 July to show support and up morale of the Rwandan soldiers, 3 700 plus kilometres from home. He had a message of appreciation for his country’s soldiers from President Paul Kagame thanking them for what has been achieved to date. Nyakarundi was accompanied by FADM Major General Alberto Nampele and told his on-the-ground commanders to maintain alertness as well as intensify defensive and offensive operations.
During his 48-hour stopover the Rwandan two-star made time to take in an FADM base camp at Nacala where Rwandan instructors are training Mozambican soldiers. The east African country has hosted a European Union (EU) training mission – EUTM-MOZ – since October 2021 and it remains in country focussing on, among others, “regenerating FADM quick reaction forces (QRFs) and training FADM trainers to enable FADM to reach self-sustainability”.
EUTM-MOZ trainers at Dongo are currently busy with a train the trainers course for FADM instructors. This saw a two week cycle on survival, escape and resistance followed by a personnel recovery exercise putting new skills into operation. Regeneration of FADM QRFs involves tests to assess physical fitness and technical knowledge.
Rigorous physical tests, including running, swimming, strength exercises as well as endurance challenges will be followed by specialised evaluation to identify areas for improving operational capabilities of Mozambican ground forces.
As the sun sets on SAMIM, the legacy of cooperation, sacrifice, and commitment remains—a testament to regional solidarity in addressing security challenges on the African continent.