Victory against terrorism is “undeniable”

Maputo, 13 Jan (AIM) – Mozambican Defence Minister Cristovao Chume on Friday encouraged all the country’s young soldiers on the front line in the fight against terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado not to vacillate, because victory is “undeniable”.

Speaking in Nhamatanda district, in the central province of Sofala, at the official launch of the 2024 military registration campaign, Chume said “We are taking this opportunity to encourage our young people on the front line, in the struggle against terrorism and violent extremism, to keep up their courage and determination because, cost what it may, Mozambique is going to defeat terrorism in our country”, declared Chume.

He said that terrorists make false promises in order to recruit youth to their ranks, “and so we want to call for vigilance against all kinds of manoeuvres, because normally the terrorists live among us. They can be our neighbours, our relatives, or even our friends”.

Chume stressed that the terrorists are not only those waging war in Cabo Delgado, but also those who are financing their murder of Mozambican families.

He argued that the term terrorist also covers those who know where the terrorists are but do not inform the authorities, and “those who know where the positions of the armed forces are and then run to inform the terrorists”.

Chume took the opportunity to express his appreciation for “the priceless contribution”, made by veterans of the national liberation struggle, now usually referred to as the “Local Forces”, who have once again taken up arms to fight against the terrorists, side by side with the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) and their foreign allies.

“We are not going to allow terrorism to spread”, he declared. “Let us protect our families, let us come together as a single people to eradicate this evil because together we are very strong. Let us all strengthen national defence and particularly the Armed Forces and the Civic Service.

As for the military registration, Chume said this is the first registration held since the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, last year amended the law on military service, in order to modernize and professionalise the FADM, and increase its operational capacity.

The new law extends the period of military service from two to five years, and to six years for the special forces. Those who do not want to join the FADM, Chume said, will be able to join the Civic Service of Mozambique.

He stressed that registering for military service does not mean that those registered will automatically be conscripted.

Indeed, that would be quite impossible since over 700,000 people attain the military registration age of 18 in 2024, and the FADM cannot absorb more than a few thousand recruits a year.

Chume added that a military career offers an opportunity for personal and professional development, considering that the FADM provides training, education and the chance to serve the country with dignity and commitment.

(AIM)

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