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Botswana is the first troop-contributing country (TCC) whose troops are leaving ahead of mission closure in July. SAMIM deployed in Mozambique to help the Mozambican defence and security forces fight the terrorism that has been plaguing some districts of Cabo Delgado since 2017
The forces from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIM), which have been fighting Islamist terrorism in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado since 2022, have started to withdraw. Botswana is the first troop-contributing country (TCC) whose troops are leaving ahead of mission closure in July. SAMIM deployed in Mozambique to help the Mozambican defence and security forces fight the terrorism that has been plaguing some districts of Cabo Delgado since 2017.
The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) contingent, according to SAMIM Public Information Operations Officer Captain Tshepiso Mantjane, had been operational in Cabo Delgado since October 2023. Along with other TCCs, BDF was part of offensive operations to neutralize terrorists as well as to engage in quick impact projects. The latter are mission initiatives to better the lives of local residents returning home after being displaced by terrorist actions.
SAMIM Acting Head of Mission J. Shikongo Shikongo and SAMIM Force Commander Major General Patrick Dube, according to Mantjane, told a farewell parade on 5 April for the Botswana contingent that their commitment, resilience, and determination” coupled with the overall joint efforts of the mission will have “a positive and lasting impact”.
Other troop contributing countries are Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.The SAMIM mandate includes helping Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado by neutralizing the terrorist threat and restoring security to create a secure environment.
Other mandate points are strengthening and maintaining peace and security, restoring law and order in affected areas of Cabo Delgado and supporting Mozambique, in collaboration with humanitarian agencies, in providing humanitarian relief to Mozambicans affected by terrorist activities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs).
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Botswana is the first troop-contributing country (TCC) whose troops are leaving ahead of mission closure in July. SAMIM deployed in Mozambique to help the Mozambican defence and security forces fight the terrorism that has been plaguing some districts of Cabo Delgado since 2017
Macamo also told that, given its budgetary limitations, the Southern African regional bloc opted to prioritize its mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) ahead of SAMIM.
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