The operations in which the weapons were confiscated were conducted by the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), and the handing over was part of the closing ceremony of SAMIM, as it withdraws from Mozambique. 

The mission had been helping the country in the fight against terrorism since 2021, in light of the pact between the countries of Southern Africa, in the co-operation component in the area of Defence and Security.

Cristóvão Chume, the Minister of Defence and Security of Mozambique, representing President Filipe Nyusi, thanked SAMIM for its role in combating terrorism. “We would like to use this unique opportunity to, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence and Security Forces, reiterate our gratitude to all sister countries of SADC, to the countries contributing with personnel and equipment to the SADC Secretariat, for the immeasurable support in counterterrorism in the province of Cabo-Delgado,” Chume said.

Chume also highlighted the progress made in the fight against terrorism, thanks to the support of SAMIM. “It is important to reiterate the significant progress we have achieved with your engagement. First the destruction of the terrorists' bases, secondly, the reduction in terrorist attacks, the return to normal functioning of public and private institutions, resumption of the development of economic and social activities, the free movement of people and goods, the gradual return of people to their areas of origin,” Chume said.

Recently, Nyusi said that the withdrawal of troops was due to advances achieved and that terrorism was now the responsibility of Mozambicans. “What can be said is that from the beginning and considering the possibility of the spread of the violence that plagued the country, there were more challenges, not only from the Mozambican part, but also from the countries of the region that made up the mission.

“It was for the first time that we had the mission combating terrorism in the region after several bilateral rounds negotiations, and possible distrust between the countries since they had clear visions and differences about the best approach to deal with the situation,” Egna Sidumo, a researcher at the CHR Michelsen Institute said.

“In this circumstances, we have to congratulate the region for having managed to combine the forces and learnt lessons for the next missions for the general state of peace in the region,” said Sidum0.

During his visit to Tanzania last week, Nyusi confirmed the maintenance of Rwandan and Tanzanian troops, under bilateral agreements, in the fight against violent extremism. The number of Rwandan troops will be increased.

Terrorist attacks in Mozambique began in October 2017, causing over 4 000 deaths, 1.5 million internally displaced people and the destruction of various socio-economic infrastructures.

--Channel Africa\Milton Maluleque--