Inhambane, 26 Sep AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has challenged the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) to remain disciplined and morally predisposed to address the country’s current and future threats against national sovereignty
Speaking during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the National Liberation Struggle and the 51st anniversary of the Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (FADM) Day, the President said that the security situation in the Northern Province of Cabo Delgado must change.
“Do everything possible to ensure our FADM is better prepared to deal with these present Islamist terrorism and future threats. The FADM are called upon to combat terrorism, violent extremism, violent crime, transnational organized crime, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, cross-border crime, threats to maritime security, and cybercrime, as well as disinformation, rumors, threats to the Mozambican people’s critical infrastructure, climate change, and natural disasters”, the President said.
“We know that our Defense and Security Forces have been making great efforts to combat these evels. Therefore, the FDS deserve praise”, he added.
According to Chapo, the government is aware that the FDS have been doing their utmost to maintain a firm stance in the fight against terrorism and to prevent this phenomenon from reaching alarming proportions.
The government, he added, is also aware that friendly forces from Rwanda and Tanzania, alongside local forces, have been contributing to an improved situation in Cabo Delgado, ensuring that security in Mozambique remains relatively stable.
“The resumption of major gas projects in the Rovuma Basin reflects significant confidence in the security situation. We know that terrorism has not ended, but the large-scale operations that had previously led to the occupation of towns in the northern districts of Cabo Delgado have been curtailed,” he said.
Currently, the President said, terrorists favor actions by small, dispersed, and highly mobile cells, employing ambushes, improvised explosive devices, and acts of kidnapping and looting, including for the purpose of obtaining ransoms.
“The progress achieved in Cabo Delgado demonstrates that we are regaining the strategic initiative. However, the adaptive nature of this threat requires us to maintain a high level of vigilance among the population and to increase our collective readiness,” he stated.
“Whenever you face difficulties in combating these ills, seek inspiration in the history of our people and the fighters of the national liberation struggle, dating back to the period of pre-colonial resistance. For instance, you can look to the tenacity of the Emperor of Gaza, Ngungunhane, who employed both diplomacy and force to halt the Portuguese advance”, he said.
Chapo also called on the military to draw inspiration from the forces of Maguiguana Cossa, one of Ngungunhane’s fighter groups, who continued the fight after the emperor’s capture.
“He fought against colonial troops until he fell in 1897 in the southern region. You can also look to the strength of Macombe, of the Báruè Kingdom, who led a major resistance and whose downfall came in 1902”, he stated.
During the ceremony, 678 citizens across the country were decorated. Notably, one citizen received the Order of Samora Machel (2nd Class), two received the 25th of September Medal (2nd Class), and three received the 25th of September Order (3rd Class).
Also on Friday, 27 citizens were awarded the Military Medal, three the Police Medal, four the Arts and Letters Medal, one the Academic Merit Medal, three the Labor Medal, and 635 the National Liberation Struggle Veteran Medal.
(AIM)
MR/pc/Am/
