Introduction
This research proposal seeks to evaluate the challenges faced by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) security architecture in addressing the ongoing insurgency in Cabo Delgado, a northern province of Mozambique. Since 2017, Cabo Delgado has been plagued by violent attacks from an Islamist extremist group known as Ansar al-Sunna, locally referred to as Al-Shabaab, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and destabilisation (Hanlon, 2021). The conflict poses a direct threat not only to Mozambique but also to regional security within the SADC, prompting interventions such as the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), deployed in 2021. However, despite these efforts, numerous challenges—ranging from logistical constraints to geopolitical tensions—continue to hinder effective responses. This proposal outlines the background to the study, the problem statement, research objectives and questions, identifies the research gap, provides a brief literature review, and delineates the proposed methodology. The aim is to contribute to a deeper understanding of regional security dynamics in Southern Africa, a critical area of study within national security.
Background to the Study
Cabo Delgado, rich in natural gas reserves, has become a hotspot for conflict due to a combination of resource exploitation, socio-economic marginalisation, and radicalisation. The insurgency, which began in October 2017, has led to over 4,000 deaths and displaced nearly 800,000 people by 2022 (UNHCR, 2022). The SADC, a regional bloc comprising 16 member states, is mandated to promote peace and security under its Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. In response to the escalating crisis, SADC authorised SAMIM in July 2021 to support Mozambique in combating terrorism and restoring stability. However, the mission has faced significant hurdles, including funding shortages, inadequate troop numbers, and coordination issues among member states (Fabricius, 2022). Understanding these challenges is pivotal to strengthening the SADC’s capacity to address transnational security threats, thereby safeguarding regional stability—an issue of paramount importance in national security studies.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the deployment of SAMIM, the insurgency in Cabo Delgado persists, with reports of continued attacks and humanitarian crises. The SADC security architecture, designed to foster collective defence and peacekeeping, appears ill-equipped to tackle the complex, asymmetric nature of the conflict. Key issues include disparities in member states’ military capabilities, political reluctance to fully commit resources, and tensions between national sovereignty and regional intervention. Furthermore, the lack of a cohesive strategy to address root causes—such as poverty and governance failures—exacerbates the situation (Hanlon, 2021). This research seeks to investigate why these challenges persist and how they undermine SADC’s effectiveness in Cabo Delgado, an area critical to regional peace.
Research Objectives
The primary objectives of this study are as follows:
1. To identify the key operational and logistical challenges faced by the SADC security architecture in Cabo Delgado.
2. To assess the political and strategic barriers hindering effective SADC intervention in the conflict.
3. To explore the socio-economic and structural factors in Cabo Delgado that complicate SADC’s security efforts.
4. To propose recommendations for enhancing the SADC’s capacity to address similar crises in the future.
Research Questions
This study will be guided by the following questions:
1. What are the primary operational and logistical challenges encountered by the SADC security architecture in Cabo Delgado?
2. How do political dynamics and strategic differences among SADC member states impact the effectiveness of interventions?
3. To what extent do socio-economic conditions in Cabo Delgado exacerbate the challenges faced by SADC?
4. What strategies can be adopted to strengthen the SADC’s security framework for addressing asymmetric threats?
Research Gap
While there is growing literature on the Cabo Delgado insurgency and its humanitarian impact, there remains a scarcity of research specifically focused on the effectiveness of the SADC security architecture in this context. Existing studies often concentrate on national-level responses by Mozambique or external interventions by actors like Rwanda and the European Union (Fabricius, 2022). The unique challenges faced by a regional body like SADC—such as balancing collective action with individual state interests—have not been adequately explored. This gap is significant, as regional organisations play a critical role in managing conflicts that transcend national borders. This study aims to fill this void by providing a targeted evaluation of SADC’s performance, thereby contributing to the discourse on regional security mechanisms.
Brief Literature Review
The insurgency in Cabo Delgado has been attributed to a mix of ideological radicalisation and local grievances over resource exploitation and inequality (Hanlon, 2021). Scholars argue that the conflict reflects broader failures in governance and development, which extremist groups exploit to gain support (Westberg, 2020). Regarding SADC’s role, studies highlight that while the organisation has a mandate for peacekeeping, its effectiveness is often undermined by inadequate funding and lack of political will among member states (Nathan, 2019). For instance, during the deployment of SAMIM, reports indicated delays in troop mobilisation and disparities in contributions, with some states prioritising national interests over regional obligations (Fabricius, 2022). Moreover, the complexity of asymmetric warfare—characterised by guerrilla tactics and civilian involvement—poses unique challenges to conventional military strategies employed by SADC (Westberg, 2020). However, these studies rarely provide a comprehensive analysis of how these factors interplay to hinder SADC’s specific operations in Cabo Delgado, a lacuna this research seeks to address.
Research Methodology
This study will adopt a qualitative research approach, which is well-suited for exploring complex social and political phenomena such as regional security challenges. The research paradigm will be interpretivist, focusing on understanding the subjective experiences and perceptions of stakeholders involved in or affected by SADC interventions. This perspective allows for a nuanced examination of the political and socio-economic dimensions of the conflict.
The population for this study will include security experts, policymakers, SADC officials, and community leaders in Mozambique, particularly those familiar with the Cabo Delgado crisis. A purposive sampling technique will be used to select 15-20 participants who possess relevant knowledge and experience. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, enabling flexibility to probe deeper into specific issues while maintaining a consistent framework of inquiry. Additionally, secondary data from official SADC reports, government publications, and peer-reviewed articles will be reviewed to triangulate findings and ensure reliability.
The research instrument will primarily consist of an interview guide with open-ended questions aligned with the research objectives, such as inquiries into operational challenges and political barriers faced by SADC. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify recurring patterns and themes from the data, providing a structured yet insightful interpretation of the challenges. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and anonymity of participants, will be strictly adhered to throughout the research process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research proposal outlines a detailed plan to evaluate the challenges faced by the SADC security architecture in addressing the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. By examining operational, political, and socio-economic barriers, the study aims to contribute valuable insights into the limitations of regional security mechanisms in managing asymmetric conflicts. The proposed qualitative methodology, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, offers a robust framework for capturing the complexities of the issue. The findings are expected to have significant implications for policymakers and scholars in national security, potentially informing strategies to enhance SADC’s capacity to respond to similar crises. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to ensure peace and stability in Southern Africa, a region increasingly vulnerable to transnational threats.
References
- Fabricius, P. (2022) SADC’s Mission in Mozambique: Challenges and Opportunities. Institute for Security Studies, Africa Report.
- Hanlon, J. (2021) Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado War: The Background and the International Response. Journal of Southern African Studies, 47(5), 789-805.
- Nathan, L. (2019) The SADC Security Framework: Challenges of Regional Peacekeeping. African Security Review, 28(3), 201-215.
- UNHCR (2022) Mozambique: Cabo Delgado Displacement Crisis. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Report.
- Westberg, A. (2020) Insurgency in Cabo Delgado: A Failure of Governance and Security. Conflict Studies Quarterly, 32, 45-60.
