International
After routing IS linked insurgents, Rwandan forces up humanitarian effort in Cabo Delgado
After pushing back armed extremists linked to
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Cabo Delgado, the
northernmost province of Mozambique, Rwandan and Mozambican forces continue mop
up operations as well as liberating more civilian captives from remnants of the
on-the-run insurgents.
Rwandan troops were deployed in Cabo Delgado,
on July 9, to work with Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) in addition to
SADC troops in designated sectors of responsibility. The rapid advance of the
joint forces in the past four months was a major blow to the insurgency. Hundreds
of civilians were enabled to run away from the insurgents who were holding them
captive.
After being repulsed from the regions where
Rwandan troops operate from – Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, and Mueda – the
insurgents ran further southwards and crossed River Messalo, a major river
flowing through Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces, into Macomia district, in
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force's designated sector of
responsibility.
The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM)
operates in Macomia, Nangade, Muidumbe and Quissanga districts. Mid last month,
Rwanda’s Defence and Military Spokesperson, Col Ronald Rwivanga, told VOA news
agency that: “They (insurgents) were weakened and this is because of the way in
which our forces, in cooperation with the Mozambican forces, fought them
without giving them breathing space. The problem most armies often have is
giving them breathing room. We did not give it to them. And that’s how it
should be.
“We deprived them of what we call freedom of
action, and freedom of maneuver. There is no breathing space. We don’t even
want them to keep any territory where they can do their activities. They use
territory to do very bad things; killing people and taking away their
property.” Rwandan forces only operate north of the Messalo. They cannot cross
the river and chase insurgents inside the SAMIM designated sectors of
responsibility but the insurgents are, reported to be regularly infiltrating up
north, across the river, to ambush Rwandan security forces.
Rwandan troops anticipated this and simply
upped tempo. They continued to intercept, kill and repulse the insurgents, and they
also continue combing through recaptured territory to ensure remnants of the
terrorists do not undermine the peace. Lately, the Rwandan troops are not only
focused on militarily combating the terrorists.
They are robustly engaged in humanitarian
activities including provision of: emergency medical care to civilians in all
their areas of operation. The troops continue searching for and rescuing civilians
previously kept hostage by the insurgents.
They have also doubled effort in various
community health support initiatives, among others, as they look to ease the
pain of the people of areas of Cabo Delgado most affected by the insurgency. Peace
and stability has generally returned to areas where Rwandan and Mozambican
forces repulsed the terrorists.
On
August 28, the joint forces started facilitating hundreds of people previously
displaced by the terrorists to return to their homes. More than 30, 000 people have so far returned
home and resumed their normal lives. Rwandan officers join Mozambican
counterparts regularly in meetings with locals purposely aimed at understanding
the problems returnees are facing and jointly look for solutions.
By and large, the residents are thankful of
the achievements of Rwandan security forces in restoring stability and peace in
Cabo Delgado. In the many meetings with the population, residents in areas such
as Afungi, Palma and others have noted that they feel happy and are especially open
to talk about the problems they have.
During one meeting in the suburbs of Palma, residents said that they were facing a challenge of a big number of wild dogs which were attacking them. Those dogs are real danger and would be shot to minimize the risks. The troops also attend to the injuries sustained by many kids who were attacked by dogs in many areas of the Province.