The SADC and Rwandan Interventions: One Year On & the forthcoming 42nd SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government – 4 Aug 22

On 4 August 2022, the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO), hosted a Virtual Public Policy Dialogue on Mozambique one year after the intervention of SADC and Rwandan troops and two weeks before the 42nd SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

SADC troops were deployed to Cabo Delgado on 15 July 2021, a week after Rwanda sent troops independently. A year later, despite some progress, violent extremism continues. According to Medecins Sans Frontieres, the situation on the ground remains dire. Violence is moving south, which is leading to further displacement, there is not enough aid to address the growing humanitarian crisis, and the effects of the conflict are taking their toll on people’s mental health.

In addition to the military approach, SADC implemented its Peace Building Support Programme in July 2022, which is aimed at “enhancing social protection mechanisms, law and order, humanitarian assistance and capacity building initiatives in Cabo Delgado Province.”

This dialogue aimed to build consensus on the approaches to the crisis, particularly against the backdrop of the upcoming 42nd SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Watch here: https://fb.watch/eMMee5faYn/