Rwanda, Mozambique, SADC discuss operations against IS-linked terrorists

Senior Rwandan and Mozambican military commanders as well as commanders of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) met, Wednesday, October 13, in Mocimboa da Praia, a key port city in Cabo Delgado Province, to discuss how to coordinate operations against the Islamic State-linked terrorists.

Mocimboa da Praia which used to be headquarters of the IS-linked insurgency was captured by Rwandan and Mozambican forces on August 8.

Wednesday’s meeting comes as Rwandan and Mozambican forces continue mop up operations as well as liberating more civilian captives from remnants of the on-the-run insurgents.

After being repulsed from Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, and Mueda – the regions where Rwandan troops operate from – insurgents escaped southwards, crossed the Messalo, a major river of northeastern Mozambique flowing through Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces, into Macomia district which is in the SADC force’s designated sector of responsibility.  

The SADC Mission in Mozambique operates in Macomia, Nangade, Muidumbe and Quissanga districts.

One thousand Rwandan troops were deployed in Cabo Delgado, on July 9, to work closely with Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) and forces from SADC in designated sectors of responsibility.

Rwandan forces only operate north of the Messalo River in the districts of Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, and Mueda. They cannot cross the river and chase insurgents inside the SAMIM designated sectors of responsibility.

Leaders from the SADC bloc on October 5 agreed to extend their military mission – which intervened in Mozambique in July – so as to continue with offensive operations helping the government fight the Islamic State-linked insurgency. Without putting a new time limit, they decided to extend the mission’s deployment beyond the initial three months and was due to end on October 15.

Rwandan and Mozambican forces, on August 8, recaptured Mocimboa da Praia, and they, lately, repulsed the terrorists from all areas in which the joint forces are operating from.

Hope is steadily returning to the areas where Rwandan and Mozambican forces are operating after the latter repulsed the terrorists. Rwandan and Mozambican forces on August 28 started helping hundreds of people previously displaced by the terrorists to return to their homes. More than 20,000 previously displaced people have so far returned home and resumed their normal lives in areas like Palma.

Cabo Delgado has 16 districts but the ones most affected by the insurgents’ terror activities were Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Mocamia and Muidumbe.

Source: www.newtimes.co.rw