Southern African countries on Monday inaugurated a regional military mission to help Mozambique take back control of its gas-rich northern province from jihadists that have been rampaging across towns and villages for nearly four years.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi launched the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) at an event in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado province.

"We reaffirm our joint commitment to fight against violent extremism together with the Rwandan forces," said Nyusi.

He mentioned "news in recent days of the success of Rwanda's mission and our forces," referring to the recapture of Awasse and Mocimboa da Praia towns from the insurgents, just weeks after the East African troops arrived.

Mozambican forces, backed by Rwandan troops, on Sunday said they had driven out militants occupying Mocimboa da Praia, a port from where the first Islamist attacks were staged in October 2017.

After being overrun in August 2020, the town became the de-facto headquarters of the Islamic State-linked extremists, who are locally referred to as Al-Shabab.

"The control of Mocimboa da Praia town and the gradual return of movement between Palma and Mocimboa da Praia is the product of the bravery and concerted effort of the forces with the aim of quickly returning stability to the region," said Nyusi.

In March the militants struck Palma, forcing French energy giant Total to suspend work on a nearby $20-billion gas project.

Rwanda started deploying a 1,000-man force on July 9 to shore up the Mozambican military. Forces from Mozambique's fellow members of the 16-nation SADC bloc started deploying on July 26, led by Botswana.

The European Union on July 12 formally established a military mission for Mozambique to help train its armed forces.

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Mozambique, Rwanda armies retake key jihadist-held town
Maputo (AFP) Aug 8, 2021
Mozambican forces backed by Rwandan troops on Sunday said they had driven out jihadists occupying the key port town of Mocimboa da Praia in the gas-rich north of the country. Mozambique's defence ministry confirmed an earlier tweet by Rwanda's army that the joint force had wrested control of the town on Sunday morning. They now control government buildings, the port, airport, hospital, and other key installations, Colonel Omar Saranga, a ministry spokesman, told a press conference in the Mozambi ... read more