22 Dec 2021

The Christmas gifts given to Botswana Defence Force members participating in the  SADC peace keeping mission in Mozambique will motivate them to achieve operational efficiency.

  This was said by Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi when presenting over 300 Christmas hampers to the troops at Pemba base camp in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province.

“You could be with your families during the Christmas festivities. However, you took an oath to serve in maintaining peace and security throughout the region,” he said.

He said the gifts should demonstrate to the troops that government and Batswana were rallying behind them and appreciated the sterling job they continued to display.

“Already, the threat level in Pemba has been assessed to be low thanks to the Botswana and other regional counterpart troops’ combat mission that allowed displaced civilians back home,” he said.

Minister Mmusi informed the troops that he had a meeting with his Mozambique counterpart, Mr Cristovao Chume, who was also appreciative of their efforts.

The minister also met with SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) head, Professor Mpho Molomo who expressed gratitude for progress made in building synergy between SADC, SAMIM and Botswana troops despite some challenges.

Mr Mmusi promised to present the troops’ concerns to government for appreciation and intervention.

The minister was scheduled to deliver gifts  to other troops based at Mueda and Macomia where the threat violent extremism has been assessed to be medium to high.

There are fears that efforts to dislodge the terrorists from permanent bases are likely to lead to sporadic attacks on SAMIM forces.

For his part, joint force commander, Major General Joseph Seelo encouraged troops to continue delivering to the level of excellence.

He urged them to communicate  the challenges they experienced to the contingent commander in order to get the right assistance.

SAMIM deputy force commander, Brigadier Dumisani Ndzinge was hopeful that the operation in Cabo Delgado would transition to level five next month.

He explained that level six operations focused on combating violent extremism in the region to make way for law and order, restructuring, socio-economic development as well as bringing humanitarian aid from other players such as the United Nations.

 The mission is currently wholly supported by personnel contributing countries - Botswana, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia.ENDS