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.