Mozambique: Cabo Delgado “under control” with FDS pursuing terrorists

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Mozambique: Cabo Delgado “under control” with FDS pursuing terrorists

5:02 CAT | 30 Jul 2025

File photo: Estácio Valoi/DW

The new Commander of the Army Branch of the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces (FADM) asserts that the situation in Cabo Delgado is under control, with the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) pursuing the terrorists attacking the province since 2017.

“I assess the situation as under control, so much so that even this movement of the terrorists, if we look closely, is an escape, because they are being pursued by the Defence and Security Forces. That’s why they are seeking other areas, they are seeking other types of logistics. It’s the result of the fighting that has been carried out in pursuit of the terrorists themselves,” said Army Branch Commander André Rafael Mahunguane, quoted today by the media.

In his statements after being sworn in by the Mozambican head of state, despite admitting that the country has the resources to stop the insurgent attacks, the official called for joint efforts from Southern African countries.

“Terrorism is an international issue. We cannot assume that we will fight it today and tomorrow, because today they are here, tomorrow they may be elsewhere. So it is a task that we must unite the defence forces of the region. It is a task that will take its continuity. Are we prepared? Yes, we are prepared; we have the men and resources to match our level,” said André Rafael Mahunguane.

Changes in the defence forces

Since taking office on January 15, the Mozambican president has been making changes to the Mozambican defence forces, with new appointments, including José Pacheco as Director General of the State Intelligence and Security Service (SISE).

Since the beginning of his term, the head of state has also appointed Júlio dos Santos Jane as Chief of the General Staff of the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM), Joaquim Sive as Commander General of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), and Aquilasse Manda as Deputy Chief of Police.

In addition to structural changes to the National Defense and Security Council (CNDS), with new appointments, the president has consistently emphasized the need to combat crime and terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

The gas-rich northern province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed rebellion since 2017, resulting in thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis, with more than a million people displaced.

Officially, agencies on the ground have so far counted more than 34,000 new displaced people between July 20th and 25th alone, due to new insurgent attacks in the districts of Chiúre, Ancuabe, and Muidumbe.

New extremist movements in northern Mozambique include Niassa, the neighboring province of Cabo Delgado, where, since their outbreak on April 29th, they have resulted in the death of at least two forest rangers, who were beheaded.

In 2024 alone, at least 349 people died in attacks by Islamic extremist groups in the province, a 36% increase compared to the previous year, according to data recently released by the Center for Strategic Studies – Africa, an academic institution of the US Department of Defense that analyses conflicts in Africa.

Source: Lusa / DW