Mozambique | Prime Minister Matekane sits with the troops in Nangade – Lesotho Defence Force

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Mozambique | Prime Minister Matekane sits with the troops in Nangade – Lesotho Defence Force

11:50 CAT | 24 Jan 2023

All photos: Lesotho Defence Force

The Right Honourable (Rt Hon) the Prime Minister (PM) of Lesotho Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane paid a brief visit to the Lesotho Contingent deployed in Nangade district of Cabo-Delgado Province of Mozambique on the 21st January 2023 under SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Mpotjoane Lejone, the Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela and the Brigade Commander Brigadier Posa Stemere.

READ: Mozambique: Lesotho’s Prime Minister visited Cabo Delgado

Upon arrival, they were orientated about the area of deployment and the situation in Cabo-Delgado Province in general. After introducing The Rt Hon the Prime Minister to the deployed troops, the CDS asked him to talk and give them (troops) orders

The Prime Minister expressed the heartfelt gratitude to the reception he got from the troops in the bush far away from their homes. He gave them courage in their assignment of fighting for peace in Mozambique and the region as well.

“I have learned the hardships you are going through and I promise that we will sit down and deal with them. We will discuss on how we solve the challenges you are facing here in deployment”, promised the PM after the brief from the Contingent Commander Commando Lieutanant Colonel Malefetsane Makhoahle.

He further urged them to take care and be vigilant at all times as they are operating behind enemy lines. The PM also took the opportunity to wish the troops and their families well and blessed in his brief.

The CDS has disclosed that; “it has been our wish that the government pay visit to the Foward Operating Base (FOB) in Nangade, fortunately the PM made a decision to pay a visit to the troops and we are happy about that”.

“Residents of Nangade are really happy on our presence in the district about the success our troops have made regardless of the new terrain we are operating on. We are capable of operating in such terrains as our Soldiers have received trainings in different terrains through exchange of trainings with other forces”, explained the CDS.

“I urge all SADC members to contribute in the fight against terrorism in Mozambique as what is happening in Mozambique must not spill into other countries”, so he continued.

“We feel honoured that our head of government has paid us a visit and has witnessed the real situation our troops are operating on. He made a promise in front of them that he will sit down with the LDF Commander for the improvement of the situation. The visit has strengthened the deployed troops, their morale is very high”, commended the CDS.

The contingent Commander Comando Lieutanant Colonel Makhoahle revealed that the insurgent’s bases are very close to their forward operating base.

“I am sure you have heard when one of my officers was giving you orientation that they are very close to us. This is where we leave, this is our new home away from home”, stated Cdo Lt Col adding that participating in mission like the one they are part of brings remarkable growth and experience to the country, government and the Defence Force itself, as it equips officers and soldiers with relevant knowledge and experience to deal with similar Situations in the future.

Went on the contingent Commander, “Terrorism is very contagious, if SADC member states turned a blind eye to the situation here in Mozambique, it would have spread to the other SADC countries”.

Lesotho deployed the troops in Mozambique since August 2021 under SADC Mission In Mozambique (SAMIM) to fight terrorism in the province of Cabo-Delgado. The recently visited contingent is the second one since the rotation in May 2022. Since their deployment situation is gradually turning to normal as some basic services are back in order after the terrorists were killed and disarmed in large numbers.

Source: Lesotho Defence Force