Ray of Hope in in Mozambique As Soldiers Reclaim Areas Seized By Militants

Mozambique’s armed forces, with the help of Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, have reclaimed nearly all areas that were seized by militants in Cabo Delgado province, President Filipe Nyusi has announced, saying that some locals are returning to their homes.

Speaking on Tuesday during an event to celebrate The Day of Victory, marking 46 years since the Portuguese colonial army was expelled from the Southern African country, Nyusi said leaders of the insurgent group consists of militants from Tanzania, DR Congo, Somalia, Rwanda, and Kenya, who “recruit Mozambicans for their activities”.

Zimbabwe also sent 304 military instructors to train Mozambican soldiers to fight the insurgents.

Meanwhile, allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of women in exchange for humanitarian aid have reemerged in Mozambique, this time among people displaced by armed insurgents in Cabo Delgado.

The insurgency has displaced over 800,000 people and is threatening gas projects by multinationals in the region.

Mozambique has been battling terrorists calling themselves Al-Shabaab, whom the US has designated as Islamic State affiliates.