President Chapo wants counter-insurgency led by the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique

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President Chapo wants counter-insurgency led by the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique

9:03 CAT | 26 Sep 2025

Photo: Notícias

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo said on Thursday that the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country, should be taken on by the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM), and not by foreign forces on the ground.

“We reiterate that, in the fight against terrorism, it is we Mozambicans who must take the lead — not our brothers from friendly countries who come to our aid, to whom we are always grateful,” said Chapo, speaking at the celebrations of the 61st anniversary of the FADM in Matola, Maputo Province. This date also marks the beginning of the country’s armed struggle against the colonial regime, on September 25, 1964.

“Our veterans of the national liberation struggle had international support — from China, Algeria, and many other countries — but those who were always been at the forefront of the fight were the guerrillas of the Mozambique Liberation Front. Therefore, just as in the fight for independence, today the Defence and Security Forces are challenged to position themselves on the front lines in the fight against terrorism,” urged Daniel Chapo.

In Cabo Delgado, a gas-rich province, the Mozambican Armed Forces are supported in combating terrorist groups operating in the region since 2017 by forces from Rwanda and neighbouring Tanzania—under a cross-border support agreement—while the military mission from these southern African countries left the field in July 2024.

On August 27, in Kigali, during the Mozambican head of state’s visit, Mozambique and Rwanda signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) dictating the rules for the deployment of Rwandan troops, who have been working since 2021 to combat extremist groups carrying out attacks in Cabo Delgado province.

The President of Mozambique stated at the time that the legal instrument does not represent the creation of a new military agreement and does not provide for an increase in the Rwandan contingent in the country.

Currently, the two countries cooperate primarily in the military field, with a force of over two thousand Rwandan soldiers fighting extremist groups operating in Cabo Delgado province, particularly protecting the area where the French company TotalEnergies has a natural gas exploration project.

Cabo Delgado province has seen a resurgence of rebel attacks since July, with the districts of Chiúre, Muidumbe, Quissanga, Ancuabe, Meluco, and most recently, Mocímboa da Praia being targeted, with several deaths reported.

In 2024 alone, at least 349 people died in attacks in northern Mozambique, most claimed by the extremist group Islamic State, a 36% increase over the previous year, according to a study released by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), an academic institution of the U.S. Department of Defence.

Source: Lusa