No terrorist bases left in Cabo Delgado, claims Nyusi

Maputo, 26 May (AIM) – There are no terrorist bases left in any district in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, declared Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Friday.

Speaking at the close of a course for Mozambican Special Forces, held in the northern city of Nacala, Nyusi announced that, since the start of the fight against violent extremism in Cabo Delgado (in 2017), the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) “have been putting into practice a range of strategies and actions, of a military and a non-military nature, in order to re-establish peace and tranquility in Cabo Delgado. Today the terrorists have no fixed bases. Several of their ringleaders have been put out of action, thanks to the commitment of the best sons of the Mozambican people”.

Nyusi reminded the newly trained members of the Special Forces that they must commit themselves to the maximum possible in the battle against terrorism. They were a force “ready for high risk missions which demand flexibility and tenacity”.

He warned them not to confuse the terrorists with the local civilian population. Harsh treatment of the jihadists “should contrast with the generosity that you will show to the population, which is the first step towards the success of your missions”.

The course was held under the theme “Tough training, easy combat”. Nyusi hoped that in the new phase now beginning, the battle really would be “easy” for the new members of the Special Forces, who had shown that they are ready to engage the enemy.

Meanwhile, the head of the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique, Maj-Gen Joao Goncalves, has told AIM that for the first phase of its mandate it had drawn up a package worth 89 million euros.

This sum is intended for the purchase of over 300 vehicles for the 11 rapid reaction companies and other military units, acquisition of about 100 boats, and more than ten ambulances, military uniforms, and training of trainers.

Initially the EU Mission had a mandate of two years which ends in September 2024. But the mandate has now been extended to June 2026. A financial package for the next phase has not yet been decided, said Goncalves.

(AIM)

Mr/sg/pf (369)