The Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) is an active regional peacekeeping mission operated by the Southern African Development Community in Northern Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province.
Background
Authorisation
SAMIM was deployed on 15 July 2021 following its approval by the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 23 June 2021. On 2 January 2022, at a summit of SADC Summit of Heads of State Malawi's capital Lilongwe, agreement was given to extend the troop deployment in Mozambique to help the government fight an Islamic State-linked insurgency.
Leadership and command
Head of Mission
Force Commanders
Deputy Force Commanders
Force organization
Force structure
The envisioned deployment was around an infantry brigade sized force with maritime and air elements attached. Ground forces 1x Brigade Headquarters 3x Light infantry Battalions. 2x Special Forces Squadrons. 1x Engineer Squadron. 1x Signal Squadron.
Logistics
1x Level II field hospital. 1x Field recovery unit 1x Field workshop unit 1x Field mobile stores unit
Maritime
2x Patrol Boats
1x Submarine
1x Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Air
2x UAV's
6x Helicopters
4x Transport Aircraft
Contingents
The following contingents have been deployed so far:
Angola contingent
Angolan Armed Forces deployed 20 personnel and an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft to the mission.
South Africa contingent
South African National Defence Force has an approved force strength of 1495 personnel. Deployed elements include personnel and assets from the South African Air Force South African Navy, South African Army,South African Military Health Service & South African Special Forces
Botswana contingent
Botswana Defence Force Deployed 296 personnel to the mission in July 2021.
Lesotho contingent
Lesotho Defence Force has deployed 125 personnel to the mission. The contingent was airlifted by an Angolan Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport to the mission.
Tanzania contingent
Tanzania People's Defence Force was reported to be deploying 274 troops to the mission.
Namibia Contingent
Namibian Defence Force deployed a contingent of 8 Officers in March 2022.
Deployment
An advance element of the South African Special Forces deployed to Pemba via South African Air Force C-130 Aircraft, the main body and equipment were deployed by road. Botswana Defence Force Commandos also deployed via Botswana Defence Force C-130 to Pemba, the main body of equipment deployed by road to Northern Mozambique. Lesotho Defence Force personnel and equipment were airlifted to Northern Mozambique by Angolan transport aircraft.