Mozambique is preparing young people to withdraw from the Southern African Development Community mission in Cabo Delgado, a Mozambican army commander has said.
“What we are doing is continuing to educate and train young Mozambicans because the role of Mozambicans is to guarantee the security of this country and its people. […] Our role is to shape and educate [jovens] to re-occupy the places where the SADC contingent leaves a void,” said Thiago Nampele, as quoted this Friday by Televisão de Moçambique (TVM).
The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which is expected to begin leaving Cabo Delgado this month, arrived on site on 9 August 2021 to support Mozambican forces in the fight against insurgents terrorizing the province since 2017, with an initial mandate of three months , which will be extended several times.
With the support of SADC and Rwandan forces arriving in July that year, the military offensive in Maputo created an atmosphere of greater security in the region that had not been seen for many years, retaking places that were controlled by the rebels, such as the village of Mocimboa da Praia. occupied since 2020.
The rebels now prefer isolated incursions and are believed by authorities to be located in small groups on the banks of the Messalo River, between Muidumbe and Macomia, further north of the province, according to a Mozambican army commander.
“The terrorists are now in a known space, although it does not have a permanent base. They are in small camps and in small groups, which are considered more flexible. When they notice our presence, they disperse,” he said. stated.
The Mozambican army believes that security has been restored in about 90% of Cabo Delgado province, arguing that conditions exist for the return of private companies, including the French oil company Total, which is leading the Zone 1 consortium, an investment of about 20 billion euros for gas exploration in Afungi.
Work was suspended indefinitely following the armed attack on Palma in March 2021, with the French energy company saying it would only resume work when the area was safe.
Cabo Delgado province has faced an armed insurgency for six years, with attacks blamed on the extremist group Islamic State and its affiliates.
The conflict has already displaced one million people, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and nearly 4,000 people have died, according to the ACLED Conflict Recording Project.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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