Abstract

States in a regional security complex have formed ad hoc missions, which are meant to sidestep the challenges that regional economic communities (RECs) encounter in combating transnational insurgents. Ad hoc missions have made significant tactical gains in combating transnational insurgencies but have failed to achieve a complete victory in several regions of Africa. The paper examines the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which is fighting Ansar Al-Sunna Islamist insurgents. Findings indicate that a lack of political will at the state level is the most significant contributing factor to the failure of SAMIM to achieve a complete victory over insurgents. This paper recommends that Mozambique must have a heightened political will, which must be demonstrated by committing resources and implementing policies that aim to address the root causes of the insurrection in Cabo Delgado.

Key words: Complete victory, counterinsurgency (COIN), Mozambique, Regional Economic Community (REC), Southern African Develepment Community (SADC), SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).