SADC Mission in Mozambique explained

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique
War:Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Leaders:Prof. Mpho Molomo (Mission Head);[1] Maj Gen. Xolani Mankayi (Force Commander).[2]
Active:July 15, 2021present
Country:
Headquarters:Pemba, Mozambique
Size:Brigade
Area:Northern Mozambique
Allies: Mozambique
Rwanda
Opponents:Al-Shabaab mercenaries[3] ISIL

The Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) is an active regional peacekeeping mission operated by the Southern African Development Community in Northern Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province.[5]

Background

See also: Insurgency in Cabo Delgado.

Authorisation

SAMIM was deployed on 15 July 2021 following its approval by the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 23 June 2021.[1] On 2 January 2022, at a summit of SADC Summit of Heads of State Malawi's capital Lilongwe, agreement was given to extend the troop deployment in Mozambique to help the government fight an Islamic State-linked insurgency.[6]

Leadership and command

Deputy Force Commanders

No. Name NationalityFrom To Note
1 Brigadier Dumisani Ndzinge[7] 15 July 2021 8 February 2022
2 Brigadier Simon Barwabatsile 8 February 2022 Incumbent

Force organization

Force structure

The envisioned deployment was around an infantry brigade sized force with maritime and air elements attached.
Ground forces

Logistics

Maritime

Air

Contingents

The following contingents have been deployed so far:

Angola contingent

Angolan Armed Forces deployed 20 personnel and an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft to the mission.[8] [9]

South Africa contingent

South African National Defence Force has an approved force strength of 1495 personnel.[8] Deployed elements include personnel and assets from the South African Air Force South African Navy, South African Army,South African Military Health Service & South African Special Forces

Botswana contingent

Botswana Defence Force Deployed 296 personnel to the mission in July 2021.[10]

Lesotho contingent

Lesotho Defence Force has deployed 125 personnel to the mission.[11] The contingent was airlifted by an Angolan Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport to the mission.[12]

Tanzania contingent

Tanzania People's Defence Force was reported to be deploying 274 troops to the mission.[13] [14]

Namibia Contingent

Namibian Defence Force deployed a contingent of 8 Officers in March 2022.[15]

Deployment

An advance element of the South African Special Forces deployed to Pemba via South African Air Force C-130 Aircraft, the main body and equipment were deployed by road. Botswana Defence Force Commandos also deployed via Botswana Defence Force C-130 to Pemba, the main body of equipment deployed by road to Northern Mozambique. Lesotho Defence Force personnel and equipment were airlifted to Northern Mozambique by Angolan transport aircraft.[16]

Operations

The SADC states also began with their offensive in August 2021, with SAMIM troops becoming involved in combat operations for the first time.[17] On 24 August rebels reportedly ambushed SAMIM troops in Naquitengue, near Mbau,.[18] On 28 August, SAMIM troops reportedly raided an insurgent position at Muera River, capturing equipment and documents. In September 2021 SAMIM troops also began to deploy in Niassa Province; groups of insurgents were suspected of having retreated or otherwise relocated to Niassa.[19] Other bands of rebels were moving further south, away from the combat zone of the Messalo River.[20] These groups relocated to Quissanga and Macomia District, where the rebels began a series of attacks on local villages, massacring dozens of civilians.[21] SAMIM claimed to have captured the "Sheikh Ibrahim base" in northern Macomia District from rebels on 14 September. 24 September a report from the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) reported that a Tanzanian soldier and 17 insurgents were killed in an attack on an insurgent base near Chitama, in southeastern Nangade district.[22] On 19 December Mozambique's defence minister claimed Mozambican and SAMIM soldiers killed ten insurgents after storming an ISIS camp in Cabo Delgado.[23] On 20 December 2021 A patrol consisting of South African Special Forces and Mozambican ground troops were ambushed by ISIS east of Chai village. A number of Mozambican soldiers as well as a single South African special forces operator were killed in the attack. Several other soldiers were injured. This marked the first death of a South African special forces operator in combat since the South African Border War.[23] On 5 February 2022 A patrol of Mozambican, Rwandan and SAMIM soldiers was ambushed near Nova Zambezia, Macomia district, resulting in a Mozambican soldier KIA and five insurgent attackers eliminated.[24] On 9 February 2022 a Botswana Defence Force soldier died in Mueda, Cabo Delgado Province Mozambique due to unnamed cause. In February the Zambia Air Force announced that it had deployed as single C-27 cargo plane to Pemba, Mozambique.[25] South Africa was reported to be deploying an entire battle group as part of its rotation, replacing largely its Special Forces Contingent[26]

Casualties

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Southern African Development Community :: SADC MISSION IN MOZAMBIQUE (SAMIM) IN BRIEF. www.sadc.int. 7 January 2022. 19 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119221106/https://www.sadc.int/news-events/news/sadc-mission-mozambique-samim-brief/. dead.
  2. Web site: Southern African Development Community :: SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Elias M. Magosi visits SADC Mission in Mozambique. www.sadc.int. 7 January 2022. 8 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108225259/https://www.sadc.int/news-events/news/sadc-executive-secretary-he-elias-m-magosi-visits-sadc-mission-mozambique/. dead.
  3. News: Mozambique: Former Policemen Train Islamist Group. 30 April 2018. Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo). 23 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141112/http://allafrica.com/stories/201805010190.html. 2018-06-12. live.
  4. News: Islamic State claims first attack in Mozambique . Caleb. Weiss . Long War Journal . 4 June 2019 . 23 February 2023 .
  5. Dzinesa . Gwinyayi A. . 2023 . The Southern African Development Community’s Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM): Policymaking and Effectiveness . International Peacekeeping . 10.1080/13533312.2023.2184687 . 1353-3312.
  6. News: 12 January 2022. Southern African bloc extends Mozambique troop deployment. en. Reuters. 23 February 2023.
  7. Web site: SADC troops continue their fight against insurgents in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique. YouTube. SABC.
  8. Web site: SA to send 1 495 troops to Mozambique. Lynsey. Chutel. News24. 28 July 2021. 23 February 2023.
  9. Web site: Angola sending military advisors to Mozambique. 28 July 2021. DefenceWeb. 23 February 2023.
  10. Web site: South African military deploys troops to Pemba, northern Mozambique . Africanews . 5 August 2021 . 23 February 2023.
  11. Web site: LDF CONTINGENT ADVANCED TEAM LEAVES FOR MOZAMBIQUE. 12 August 2021. 23 February 2023. LENA.
  12. Web site: SADC Mozambique force bolstered by Lesotho as Rwandans retake key port. 10 August 2021. Guy . Martin. 23 February 2023. DefenceWeb.
  13. Web site: SADC mission in Mozambique launched. Janes.com. Helmoed. Römer-Heitman. Jeremy. Binnie. 12 August 2021. 23 February 2023.
  14. Web site: CABO DELGADO INSURGENCY: 'Wars can't be fought on the cheap': Experts and special forces call for more infantry and equipment in Mozambique. Peter. Fabricius. 11 January 2022. Daily Maverick. 23 February 2023.
  15. Web site: Send-off ceremony of the Namibia's contingent to the Republic of Mozambique.. The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. www.facebook.com. 17 March 2022. 23 February 2023.
  16. Web site: Mohau . Nkoateleng . Ldf Contingent Advanced Team Leaves For Mozambique – Government Of Lesotho . Gov.ls . 13 April 2022.
  17. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 30 August-5 September . Cabo Ligado (ACLED, Zitamar News, Mediafax) . 7 September 2021 . 13 September 2021 .
  18. Web site: By the Numbers: Cabo Delgado, October 2017-November 2021 . Cabo Ligado (ACLED, Zitamar News, Mediafax) . 16 November 2021 . 4 December 2021 .
  19. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 6–12 September . Cabo Ligado (ACLED, Zitamar News, Mediafax) . 14 September 2021 . 5 October 2021 .
  20. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 13–19 September . Cabo Ligado (ACLED, Zitamar News, Mediafax) . 21 September 2021 . 5 October 2021 .
  21. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 20–26 September . Cabo Ligado (ACLED, Zitamar News, Mediafax) . 28 September 2021 . 5 October 2021 .
  22. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 20–26 September. CaboLigado.com.
  23. Web site: SADC Summit focuses on Mozambique insurgency: 5 January 2022. Defence Web.
  24. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 31 January-6 February 2022. Cabo Ligado.
  25. Web site: Cabo Ligado Weekly: 7-13 February 2022. Cabo Ligado.
  26. Web site: SANDF deploys Combat Team Alpha to fight Mozambique insurgents. Erika. Gibson. News24.
  27. Web site: Botswana soldier dies in Mozambique accident - Official. apanews.net.
  28. Web site: Botswana soldier dead in Mozambique accident. 5 August 2021.
  29. Web site: Mozambique: SADC military mission pledges to 'neutralise cruelty of terrorism'. Mozambique.
  30. Web site: Tanzanian soldier killed as SADC forces overrun another insurgent base. 28 September 2021.
  31. Web site: Lesotho soldier is latest SAMIM fatality. 6 December 2021.
  32. Web site: The remains of the late Private Moalosi Jacob Khoaele of the Lesotho Defence force who passed on while on duty in Mozambique have arrived at the Mejametalana Airbase. 30 November 2021. PC FM.
  33. Web site: Military Ombud sends condolences to family of Corporal Tebogo Edwin Radebe | South African Government. www.gov.za.
  34. Web site: SANDF: We are proud Corporal Tebogo Radebe died while serving his country. Masechaba. Sefularo. ewn.co.za.
  35. Web site: Another BDF soldier dies in Mozambique. 10 February 2022. Mmegi Online.

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