South Africa extends military presence in Mozambique for another three months

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the 1,495 military personnel deployed to Mozambique as part of the Southern African Development Community (SAMIM) mission will remain there for another three months..

The contingent was initially sent at the end of July to Cabo Delgado province for a period of three months.

Meanwhile, on October 5, the SADC troika approved the extension of the mission's period, without, however, indicating the date of the end of the troops' stay in Mozambique.

A letter from the South African President, dated October 15, sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and apparently delivered to the Joint Standing Committee on Defense meeting on Friday, 29, confirms the extension for another three months.

"I have extended the mission of the 1 495 SANDF members to service in fulfillment of an international obligation of South Africa to the SADC (Southern African Development Community) to support Mozambique in combating acts of terrorism and violent extremists affecting the province of Cabo Delgado," reads President Cyril Ramaphosa's letter, quoted by the Defenceweb portal.

According to the document, the extension of "Operation Vikela," as it is called in South Africa, is expected to cost about $64.5 million, but there is no indication as to the source of funding for this expense.

South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania and Angola have all sent troops to SAMIM who are on the ground along with Mozambique's Defense and Security Forces and a contingent of nearly 2,000 troops from Rwanda fighting the insurgency that, since October 2017, has caused more than 3,000 deaths and some 850,000 displaced people.

The joint forces have announced victories on the military front and ensured that displaced people are beginning to return to their home areas.

However, as has been reported, several displaced people are still afraid to return and the destroyed infrastructure has not yet begun to be rebuilt.

The government has approved a $300 million plan for the recovery of the affected areas and support for the displaced and has assured that half of that amount is secured.

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