Tanzanian forces crucial to stopping terrorists, says Nyusi

Maputo, 3 Jul (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi believes that the Tanzanian Armed Forces (TDF) are crucial to stopping the advance of the islamist terrorists who have been plaguing parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, especially in the regions bordering Tanzania.

According to the President, who was speaking to reporters, on Tuesday, in Dar es Salaam, after talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu, currently there is no Mozambican village or town under the control of terrorists, thanks to the selfless commitment of the Mozambican Forces (FDS) supported by the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which includes a Tanzanian contingent.

Nyusi’s three day visit to Tanzania comes at a moment when the government is looking for strategic support to fight the jihadists, following the withdrawal of SAMIM, which should be concluded by 15 July.

SAMIM included military forces from eight countries, namely Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

Some of these forces have already left the country and the SAMIM leadership has handed over some equipment donated by the European Union to the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM).

“We know that in 2021, the situation was very serious in Mozambique, many villages and district headquarters were in the hands of terrorists”, said Nyusi, “but with the support of SAMIM, where Tanzania committed a force, the result was fundamental and today there is no longer any village or town in the hands of terrorists”.

Nyusi believes that the case of Mozambique shows that African problems can be solved with African solutions.

“We’re not saying that we don’t want support from others, but first we want support from Africans. SAMIM is made up of troops from eight countries that have been fighting terrorism since July 2021 and their mandate expires this month”, he said.

Thanks to SAMIM, Nyusi said, today terrorists have become nomads, with nowhere to settle due to the massive presence of the Mozambican forces and their Rwandan allies, who are helping fight the enemy.

(AIM)

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