Due to financial constraints, troops dispatched by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat insurgencies in Mozambique are preparing to exit the country.
Mozambique’s Foreign Minister, Verónica Macamo, revealed that SADC has been grappling with budgetary limitations, prompting this decision. She emphasised that SADC views Mozambique as relatively stable compared to the longstanding conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
SADC’s military efforts have been focused on quelling violence in the DR Congo since December of the previous year.
President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique disclosed that SADC intends to withdraw its forces by July. However, he stressed that this withdrawal does not signify an end to the nation’s fight against insurgency.
Northern Mozambique has been plagued by an armed insurgency for six years, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for some of the violence.
The insurgency, characterised by numerous attacks on civilians and the military, prompted a military response in July 2021.
Initially, support came from Rwanda, which deployed over 2,000 military personnel to Mozambique, followed by assistance from the SADC.
