21 Feb 2022

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) contingent assigned to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) has acquitted itself well, displaying high standards of professionalism synonymous with the BDF. 

Updating the nation on SAMIM recently, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said the mission’s combined and sustained efforts together with those of cooperation partners had resulted in significant operational gains.

The gains included liberation of key areas previously occupied by terrorists. 

He said SAMIM forces had also managed to destroy terrorists’ training centers and captured numerous indoctrination materials and technological devices, thus significantly degrading terrorists’ force generation capability. 

“Restoration of law and order has been attained which has enabled the reconstruction progress to begin in the region with significant impact to the peace dividend,” Minister Mmusi  said. 

SAMIM forces’ offensive had been decisive and emphatic, he said adding that consequently they captured some terrorists’ strongholds, killing a good number of the terrorists. 

“Light and heavy weapons have been seized with the capture of vast material intelligence value and women and children have been rescued from Jihadist militant bases and handed back over to be reunited with their families,” he said. 

Mr Mmusi explained that as part of its social responsibility, the BDF contingent, through the special forces based in Mueda District, donated equipment and supplies to the local hospital. 

He said the gesture was in line with SAMIM’s mandate to support the Mozambican government and other agencies in their efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the affected population.

Minister Mmusi stressed the importance of cooperation to bring stability and security to Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region where over 800 000 people had been internally displaced by insurgents. 

Botswana has participated in other regional and continental peace operations where the BDF’s professional standards raised the country’s flag high. 

They include the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), United Nations operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ), and the Southern African development intervention operation in Lesotho code named (BOLEAS).

On a somber note, Minister Mmusi stated that SAMIM personnel contributing countries had lost members to various incidents with the BDF losing two, one to a vehicular accident and another to accidental discharge. ends