Terrorism and the Southern Africa Development Community Mission in Mozambique : Institutionalism Revived?

Terrorism, a long-standing threat to African security, has often been met with ad hoc coalitions. While these coalitions provide rapid responses, their temporary nature and limitations in addressing the structural drivers of terrorism have been raising questions about their long-term effectiveness. This article examines the evolving dynamics of regional security cooperation in Africa, focusing on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). SAMIM, deployed in 2021 to counter the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, offers a unique case for exploring the potential shift toward institutionalized regional security responses. By analyzing SAMIM within the broader context of African security cooperation, this article argues that, rather than a departure from Africa’s reliance on ad hoc coalitions, SAMIM exposes the persistent limitations of regional organizations. The paper critically assesses SAMIM’s political and regional dimensions through a qualitative case study approach, offering new insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s counterterrorism efforts. Ultimately, this study contributes to understanding how regional organizations like SADC might evolve to address complex security threats while balancing national sovereignty and regional cooperation.