Botswana’s military contingent began withdrawing from Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique on Friday, marking the start of the withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIM) that was fighting terrorism, it was announced today.
“Friday, April 5, 2024 marks the beginning of the withdrawal of SAMI forces. The contingent withdrawn from Cabo Delgado were from Botswana and arrived in the mission area in October 2023,” the SADC mission to Mozambique said in a statement. The note was published today.
The departure of the Botswana contingent was marked by a military ceremony in the province of Cabo Delgado.
“Among other achievements of the SAMIM mandate, the Botswana contingent participated in offensive operations to neutralize terrorists and implemented quick-impact projects. These activities resulted in a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their normal lives,” the note added.
The SADC mission in Mozambique has been in Cabo Delgado since mid-2021, and in August 2023 SADC approved its extension for a further 12 months until July 2024, setting out a plan for a gradual withdrawal of troops from eight countries in the region. who integrate it.
SAMIM comprises troops from eight countries contributing to SADC, namely Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, “working in collaboration with the Mozambique Armed Defense Forces and other troops deployed in Cabo Delgado.” .
The Mozambican government suggested on March 26 that the current state of war with rebels in Cabo Delgado province justified the withdrawal of this military mission.
“The situation we are in now is very different from the one we were in when these forces arrived in Mozambique. The current situation already justifies their withdrawal,” said Filiman Suaze, a spokesman for the Mozambican government, moments after the Council of Ministers met in Maputo.
Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation announced on March 23 that SADC troops would leave the country due to financial constraints.
“SAMIM is facing some financial problems and we [Moçambique] We will also have to take care of our troops and it will be difficult for us to pay BY OURSELVES. Countries are not able to invest the necessary money,” said Veronica Makamo.
According to a government spokesman, the withdrawal of SADC troops has always been on the agenda and there is nothing stopping the government from requesting the mission again if it deems it necessary.
“These missions always have a deadline, for starting and for finishing them (…). We hope that all assumptions will be met so that by the end of July these forces will return, unhindered, understanding that there is a need for his return to Mozambique, so be it,” added the representative of the Mozambican executive.
Cabo Delgado province has faced an armed insurgency for six years, with the extremist group Islamic State claiming responsibility for some attacks.
The insurgency, which has intensified since December 2023 with several attacks on the population and military forces, has led to a military response since July 2021, supported first by Rwanda with more than 2,000 troops, and by SADC liberating areas near gas projects.
PVZH // VM
Lusa/The End
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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