{"id":61434,"date":"2023-12-22T16:48:57","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T16:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/cabo-delgado-mozambican-general-likens-rwandas-support-to-gas-in-a-stove"},"modified":"2023-12-22T17:09:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T17:09:31","slug":"cabo-delgado-mozambican-general-likens-rwandas-support-to-gas-in-a-stove","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/cabo-delgado-mozambican-general-likens-rwandas-support-to-gas-in-a-stove","title":{"rendered":"Cabo Delgado: Mozambican General likens Rwanda\u2019s support to \u2018gas in a stove\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwandan and Mozambican forces and a mission from the Southern African Development (SADC) in Mozambique\u2019s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado dislodged the Islamic State-linked terrorists from most of their positions, according to Maj. Gen. Tiago Alberto Nampele, the Army Commander of the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, December 19, in Mocimboa da Praia District, once a key stronghold of the Ansar al Sunnah wal Jama\u2019a group, Nampele said \u201cthe enemy\u201d is now contained in a forest in the north-east of Macomia District.<\/p>\n

The remnants of the terrorists, the General noted, are now consigned to the Catupa forest, north-east of Macomia District, where they operate in small groups. The remaining terrorists are believed to number some where between 200 and 250.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have first to recognise where the enemy used to hide in Cabo Delgado,\u201d Nampele said.<\/p>\n

The enemy was, initially, based in the coastal Districts of Palma, Nangade, Muidumbe, Quissanga, Macomia and Mocimboa da Praia, he noted.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b>: Nyusi: Kagame understood Mozambicans\u2019 suffering, gave his best people to help Mozambique<\/p>\n

Rwandan and Mozambican security forces began joint operations in July 2021. Within a month, the terrorists were dislodged from their pockets in Mocimboa da Praia and Palma, the Rwandan Security Forces initial areas of responsibility.<\/p>\n

WATCH: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qysCYQvfZj4&t=3s<\/p>\n

In 2022, the Rwandan and Mozambican forces pursued the terrorists further south in Ancuabe District.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this moment the enemy is found in a smaller space compared to the one they used to occupy,\u201d he said, noting that lately, between 90 and 95 per cent of the region earlier invaded by the terrorists is secure.<\/p>\n

New offensive<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the north of Catupa forest, that\u2019s the area where the enemy stays. But they are just in very small groups,\u201d Nampele said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey do not concentrate themselves in bases. There is no such [thing as a base]. It\u2019s just small camps, very, very small, whereby when they notice our forces, the first thing they do is spread themselves in very small groups of two or three. They are in small groups where they are flexible and they can move from one place to another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nampele said the Rwandan, Mozambican, and southern African bloc\u2019s forces are preventing the terrorists from accessing food supplies and had jointly elaborated a plan to pursue them where they are.<\/p>\n

Beyond combat and security operations, the RSF also has security sector reform as part of their mandate.<\/p>\n

Rwandan support \u2018like gas in a stove\u2019<\/p>\n

Nampele extended his gratitude to the Rwanda Security Forces, saying that the Mozambican armed forces learnt lessons from their Rwandan counterparts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe leant a lot from Rwanda,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt [Rwanda\u2019s support] was like gas. You see, you can have a stove, you can have food, but if there is no gas, you\u2019ll cook nothing. Rwanda became, for us, gas. They gave us force so that, together, shoulder to shoulder, we could do what we have done and what we are still doing on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b>: Rwanda’s mission is to support efforts to restore Mozambican state authority \u2013 RDF<\/p>\n

Up to 250,000 people have returned to their homes in Mocimboa da Praia, Palma, and Ancuabe Districts where Rwandan troops operate alongside the host nation forces. Economic activity resumed in the coastal towns, and rural areas, and there is hope, as people there look to the future.<\/p>\n

A Mozambican soldier with Rwanda Security Force in Cabo Delgado. Photo by Christianne Murengerantwari.<\/p>\n\r\n