African countries have decided that their internal security crisis can be resolved only by them and not by any external player. They are taking an active role in addressing problems which threaten the peaceful existence of their societies, the stability of their governments and the future of their people.
Al Shabab is a terrorist organisation operating in Mozambique, in the province of Cabo Delgado. Affiliated with ISIS, Al Shabab emerged in 2017, its main purpose is to establish the Sharia law, get rid of formal education, remove healthcare and annihilate the government. Over the years, Al Shabab has murdered thousands of people. Its presence in Cabo Delgado makes it a region prevalent with bloodshed and terror.
It is important to mention here that the Al Shabab is an entirely different entity when compared to its Somalian counterpart- Al Shabaab. Both these organisations however are affiliated to ISIS.
Now, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique have decided to do something about Al Shabab. These countries are deploying their militaries in Cabo Delgado to get rid of Al Shabab. They have realised that peace can only come if this Islamist group, which is brazenly killing civilians and hurting the economy of Mozambique, is eliminated. The governments of South Africa and Botswana have affirmed their decision to assist Mozambique in its battle against Al Shabab.
South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique have realised that they don’t need a Western player in their fight against Al Shabab. These nations know what happens when a western country gets involved in the name of helping curb terrorism. The horrors of DRC, Ethiopia, and Sudan etc are still afresh and a repeat of it is strictly not welcomed.
The decision to deploy their militaries by these nations demonstrates their determination in getting rid of a problem themselves rather than seeking assistance from a Western country. Africa is taking an active and independent role in addressing its security concerns, as it knows the involvement of the West will further complicate the matter.
South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique know that if they seek assistance from a Western nation, then it will only look after its own interests and not that of them. Inviting the West to resolve the security crisis of their nation is equivalent to committing suicide which these African states are well aware of.
Cabo Delgado is a resource rich region; it has huge deposits of ruby and natural gas. In fact, forty percent of Rubies’ supply in the world comes from Cabo Delgado. It is also the third-highest holder of natural gas reserves in Africa. Therefore, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique know that if a Western player gets involved in Cabo Delgado’s affairs, then instead of helping them counter Al Shabab, it will instead start financing and arming the Islamist group and will create a deal with it to seal the region’s rich resources. Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique made a far-sighted decision in keeping their distance from the West as they are familiar with the West’s tactics.
Also Read: EU sends its agent to Mozambique in a last-ditch attempt to secure gas supplies
The decision to take on Al Shabab by these countries is inspired from what Kenya decided to do against M23. Kenya’s president William Ruto announced that he is going to deploy Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) in east Democratic Republic of the Congo to eliminate the M23 group, a terror group backed by Rwanda which in turn is backed by the West. The justification for Ruto’s call was economic partnership with DRC which is true. The East African Community, which is a regional bloc, also deployed its force in DRC to fight against the M23.
Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa are just following Kenya and DRC’s example; it will benefit them as combined militaries of the three nations are more than enough to take on Al Shabab which needs to be eradicated entirely.
On the economic front too, several African nations have decided to tread upon the path of self- sufficiency, without any interference from the west. For instance, several landlocked countries are now carrying out agreements with countries on the African coastline so as to ease their logistics, thereby reducing dependency on west. Ethiopia and Somalia are one such example.
These developments tell us that more and more African countries are moving away from the dominance of the West which is looking at any chance to enter Africa so that it can establish its monopoly over them. African unity will promote peace and prosperity not warfare and misery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJees2QExc4&t=57s
