20 Dec 2022

SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) forces are gradually making headway in dislodging violent extremists from the embattled Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.

This is according to SAMIM deputy force commander, Brigadier Kagiso Kgaswanyane who said in an interview in Pemba on Monday that the situation had subsided in most parts of the province as SADC forces battled to bring the insurgents to heel.
Disclosing that Pemba was recently wrestled from insurgents, he said life was gradually returning to normal in villages that had been abandoned for years.

Brigadier Kgaswanyane said people were returning to their homes albeit in fear as the insurgents continued springing hit-and-run assaults on villages.

“So far life has improved when compared to the time when the war started in 2017,” he said.

Brigadier Kgaswanyane said SAMIM troops managed to drive out the insurgents from some areas but had discovered that the ousted extremists had set up secret camps in the bush which were difficult to reach.

SAMIM forces were working around the clock to locate and dislodge the terrorists, he said.  

Currently, Brigadier Kgaswanyane said, acts of terrorism were ongoing at 5th Congresso, Nkonga, Macomia, Muidumbe, Mueda and Nangade district with the insurgents terrorising unarmed civilians.
 He said SAMIM forces continued to devise strategies for saving the people.

Brigadier Kgaswanyane said to date there had been no communication from either of the waring parties on the possible cessation of hostilities.

On challenges, he singled out the language barrier as the most problematic since the people were Portuguese-speaking and did not understand English.
Communication was through the use of interpreters, he said.

 He said the locals appreciated SAMIM troops’ presence as they symbolised liberation, security and protection.

They showed their appreciation by informing the troops of any suspicious activities in their areas, said Brigadier Kgaswanyane.

He said troops currently on the battlefield are from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Malawi adding that other SADC countries supported the mission with equipment.

 On the welfare of Botswana’s 361-person contingent, he said the soldiers were well facilitated to carry out the mission and were appreciative of government support.

According to United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration, over 950 000 persons have been displaced internally as a result of the ongoing insecurity situation in Mozambique.ENDS