How to Fight a War

From a defence and security point of view, the first half of 2024 continued to be overshadowed by the continuing conflicts in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East -the most recent being the ongoing Israeli-Hamas War that broke out in early October 2023.In Southern Africa, the premature withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which is set to be completed by mid-July, comes amidst several recent setbacks suffered against Ahlu al-Sunnah wal-Jamaah insurgents.Moreover, it can be argued that the untimely withdrawal of SAMIM from northern Mozambique -which the insurgents' propaganda claims to be a victory -indeed reflects a serious political, diplomatic, and military failure in the region.The current withdrawal of SAMIM forces from Mozambique alarmingly coincides with the recent deployment of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) that started in mid-December 2023.The geo-strategic shift of the regional organisation from Mozambique to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) coincides with the withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which, despite its two-decadelong deployment, has failed to achieve any notable gains in terms of creating enduring peace and stability in the country.While the MONUSCO withdrawal is set to occur in stages until the end of 2024, the SAMIDRC contingent deployed in its wake already faces considerable challenges relating to its mandate, force structure, equipment, and logistical provisions.Additionally, the SAMIDRC force suffered numerous casualties and operational setbacks throughout the preceding months, as the M23 rebels strengthen their grip on the eastern DRC.These conflicts continue to have vast geopolitical implications, not only making the immediate regions unstable and volatile, but also having no clear resolutions in sight.While these conflicts will continue to stimulate debate in academic and military circles, they also provide a unique opportunity within defence and security spheres to explore topics, such as doctrinal developments, force structure and design, military operations, defence policy, and alliances.