Rwanda, Mozambique, SADC to share intel in battle against IS-linked insurgency

Rwandan and Mozambican military commanders as well as those from the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) on Wednesday, October 13, agreed to enhance intelligence sharing in the fight against the Islamic State-linked terrorists in Mozambique’s northernmost Province of Cabo Delgado. This was one of the three major outcomes of their meeting in Mocimboa da Praia, a key port city in Cabo Delgado Province, when commanders from the three forces discussed how to coordinate operations against the terrorists. Mocimboa da Praia which used to be headquarters of the IS-linked insurgency was captured by Rwandan and Mozambican forces on August 8. Three resolutions Defence and Military Spokesperson, Col Ronald Rwivanga, told The New Times that the meeting discussed current security issues and had three key resolutions. He said: First, they agreed to share intelligence. They also agreed to work together in the process of helping people who were previously displaced to return to their homes and resettle.” Peace and stability returned in areas where Rwandan and Mozambican forces repulsed the terrorists. The latter 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. Third, and also important, is that they agreed to enhance cooperation in the operations to eliminate the remaining insurgents wherever they are so that Cabo Delgado can be fully liberated. The remnants of the insurgents pushed from our designated area of responsibility crossed the Messalo river, into the SADC forces designated sector of responsibility. 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 forces 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. On Tuesday, October 12, while addressing the ongoing three-day Global Security Forum (GSF) in Doha, Qatar, President Paul Kagame said Rwanda’s troops in Cabo Delgado are now close to 2,000. 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. Cabo Delgado has 16 districts but the ones most affected by the insurgents’ terror activities were Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Mocamia, Muidumbe and Nangade.

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Rwanda, Mozambique, SADC to share intel in battle against IS-linked insurgency