Mozambique: Extension of SADC mission opens ‘good prospects’ – NGO

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Mozambique: Extension of SADC mission opens ‘good prospects’ – NGO

7:20 CAT | 12 Oct 2021

File photo: Twitter / @NamPresidency

The non-governmental organisation Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) said on Monday that the extension of the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Mozambique provided good prospects for the consolidation of security in Cabo Delgado.

The extension of the SADC military mission was announced on Saturday at the end of the Extraordinary Troika Summit of the Southern African Development Community and Mozambique, chaired by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, held in Pretoria, South Africa.

The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) arrived on 9 August to “combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism in the Northern Region of Cabo Delgado province,” with an initial mandate running until 15 October 2021.

For the CDD, the consolidation of security in Cabo Delgado will open space for the reinforcement of humanitarian assistance to the populations affected by the conflict, ensuring the possibility of a safe return of displaced people and the reconstruction of infrastructure.

Since July, the government troops’ offensive with external support allowed increasing security, recovering several areas of Cabo Delgado where there were rebels, including the town of Mocímboa da Praia, which had been occupied since August 2020.

As well as the SADC, the Mozambican forces are supported by around 1,000 soldiers and police from Rwanda as part of defence cooperation between the two states.

Cabo Delgado province is rich in natural gas but terrorised by armed rebels, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The conflict has led to more than 3,100 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project, and more than 817,000 displaced people, according to Mozambican authorities.

Source: LUsa