Mozambique: inauguration of a SADC military mission

Rwandan soldiers embark for Mozambique, at the request of President Nyusi, on July 10, 2021. REUTERS - JEAN BIZIMANA

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The Mozambican president and his Botswana counterpart officially inaugurated, this Monday, August 19, the SADC military mission in Mozambique, called SANIM.

At the end of last July, the countries of the Southern African Development Community announced the sending of troops to support the Mozambican army in its fight against the jihadists who raged in the north of the country, rich in gas.

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The inauguration of this regional military mission comes the day after the takeover of the jihadist stronghold of Mocimboa da Praia by Mozambican and Rwandan troops.

At first glance, one could say that the SADC military mission in Mozambique was inaugurated after the battle since the jihadist stronghold, Mocimboa da Praia, had just been taken over thanks to the intervention of a completely outside the regional organization,

Rwanda, which had sent 1,000 soldiers

as of July 9.

It must be said that Mozambique has long resisted any regional intervention, preferring technical support from the European Union and bilateral aid from Rwanda.

And it must also be said that South Africa, which must provide the largest contingent, 1,400 men, saw the deployment of its troops delayed by the riots following the Zuma trial.

Botswana and Zimbabwe are expected to contribute with 300 troops each.

Angola is sending 20 air force officers and Namibia has pledged the equivalent of $ 400,000.

Ultimately, the SADC military mission in Mozambique could number up to 3,000 troops.

It will have to secure the situation in northern Mozambique to allow the resumption of the gas megaproject of the French group Total on which the country is counting for its development.

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  • Mozambique

  • Rwanda

  • Botswana

  • Angola

  • Zimbabwe

  • South Africa