Mozambique: Armed insurgency in north discussed by US, South Africa presidents

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Mozambique: Armed insurgency in north discussed by US, South Africa presidents

10:11 CAT | 20 Sep 2022

Photo: GCIS

The armed insurgency in northern Mozambique was one of the topics of conversation between the South African and US presidents on Friday in Washington, according to a transcript of the statements published by the White House.

“We want to discuss what I would call global stability and security, particularly in relation to our region where we have had insurgents targeting one of our neighbouring countries, Mozambique,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, to which Joe Biden retorted in the affirmative.

“This is very important for us,” he said.

The statements were made before closed-door meetings and are the only sign that the issue was present.

South Africa is one of the countries that is part of SAMIM, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) military mission that is supporting Mozambican troops in Cabo Delgado – alongside Rwanda.

The prolonged foreign military aid has led Mozambique to request support from international partners to support the costs of the operation.

The US, like Europe, has supported Mozambique mainly through military training, as well as being a major donor in other areas.

The capacity building of the Mozambican armed forces has been a goal identified by all parties, in order to make the troops autonomous.

The US authorities have released several reports detailing the alleged involvement of the Islamic State group in armed violence.

The attacks have led to the suspension of gas projects in the region, the largest private investment in Africa and involving US funding and companies.

The five-year long insurgency has led to a military response since 2021 by Rwandan and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, liberating districts near the gas projects but leading to a new wave of attacks in other areas.

Officials have labelled the latest incursions as scattered reactions by fleeing insurgents in Cabo Delgado as they try to survive the onslaught of troops pursuing them.

There are about 800,000 internally displaced people due to the conflict, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and about 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

It was an honor to welcome South African President Ramaphosa to the White House.

I look forward to strengthening the United States’ partnership with their great democracy for years to come. pic.twitter.com/NjDUL9p1Pm

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 17, 2022

Cyril Ramaphosa:

Discussed the following with Biden:

1. Eskom – We need $38bn on top of $8.5bn to move from coal to renewables

2. AGOA

3. Mozambique – We asked USA to help with insurgents

4. Covid – We appreciate support from USA with vaccines pic.twitter.com/SsOdqJrQj7

— Izwe Lethu (@LandNoli) September 17, 2022

#RSAinUSA | Minister Naledi Pandor and Secretary Antony Blinken are meeting ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with President Joe Biden. President Ramaphosa arrived in Washington DC, USA on Thursday, 15 September 2022 for a Working Visit. @UbuntuRadioZA pic.twitter.com/VU2mKDWyDD

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 16, 2022