Africa-Press – Mozambique. Former Minister of National Defence, Atanásio Salvador M’tumuke, has launched his first book – “The End of the National Liberation Struggle: Operation Omar” [O Fim da Luta de Libertação Nacional: Operação Omar].
In his book, M’tumuke describes the “last battle” against Portuguese colonialism, which he directed in August, 1974. He recounts how, without firing a single shot, he and his men used a megaphone to capture 142 Portuguese soldiers.
In his dual role as writer and main character, M’tumuke begins by describing the mission he received from Samora Machel in 1974, when he invited him to Nachingwea, in Tanzania, with the aim of challenging him to annihilate the last barracks of Portuguese soldiers, which had purposely been sited on the border with Tanzania, a strategic corridor for the National Liberation Front, which had its political-military base there.
The megaphone he asked for was made available, and it was precisely this instrument of communication that was decisive in the assault on the Omar bases in Mueda district, Cabo Delgado, on August 1, 1974. With a message to “surrender, and return the land and space”, the Frelimo guerrillas managed to persuade 142 Portuguese soldiers to capitulate, without needing to fire a single shot.
The book bears a preface by the President of the Republic, who encouraged M’tumuke to write his epic and unusual story.
Atanásio Salvador M’tumuke was born in Cabo Delgado. At the age of 16, he joined the National Liberation Struggle, and had, by the age of 24, risen to the rank of major general. From 2015 to 2019, he was Minister of National Defence. He is now major general in the reserve.
