Chume calls for improvement of logistics to defeat terrorists

Maputo, 15 Jul (AIM) – The Mozambican Defence Minister, Cristovão Chume, has called for the improvement of logistics and communications, in order to defeat the islamist terrorists who have been plaguing some districts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

According to Chume, who was speaking on Saturday, in Maputo, during the closing ceremony of a meeting of the Coordinating Council of his Ministry, the use of modern technologies requires sophisticated logistical systems to ensure an efficient response by the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS) to various threats.

The Minister wanted to see “the efficient and continuous supply of resources, equipment and supplies needed for the FDS”.

Chume also called for promotion the training of the FDS in foreign languages, so that they may communicate better with their allies. As strategic languages, he mentioned English, French, Arabic and Swahili.

“The aim of this strategy is to improve the capacity for international cooperation and operations between the Mozambican military and foreign forces in multinational contexts. In parallel to this, it is vital to intensify the training of military personnel in Information and Communication Technologies, ensuring that the forces are prepared to face modern threats”, he said.

The Minister also called for the retaining of more specialists in order to improve coordination between different areas of the defense sector, including the modernization of military equipment, acquisition of new technology and improvement of FDS operations against terrorists.

“We categorize terrorism and violent extremism as existential threats to Mozambique. There is an urgent need to pay tribute to the young men and women of the FDS who are relentlessly fighting terrorism and violent extremism in Cabo Delgado”, he declared

(AIM)

SC/Ad/pf (287)