Recent events in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique have highlighted the continued unrest that citizens are facing as well as the unstable security situation. In the context of an insurgency associated with the Islamic State (IS) organization, people such as Tomas Langa have experienced terrifying events. A potential execution by terrorists targeting government officials in Macomia town was nearly avoided by Langa, a state servant. Recounting his horror, Langa said that armed militants terrorized and pillaged the village for three days as he fled into the jungle, only surviving on cassava plants. He also remembered waking up to gunfire.
Not only did the attack on Macomia put lives in peril, but it also interfered with essential services. Following a raid by militants that took vehicles and vital supplies from the medical center, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was forced to halt operations. This made many locals leave the area out of concern for their safety, exacerbating Cabo Delgado’s already serious displacement issue. In recent months, there has been an alarming resurgence of violence, which was previously believed to be decreasing due to the presence of regional forces under the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
Premature departure of troops from the Sadc mission, which saw troops from various member countries support Mozambique’s security forces, is currently being considered. Experts express alarm over the decision to withdraw, citing the possibility of persistent instability even in spite of early successes in stabilizing certain areas. Even while nations like Rwanda have committed more troops to fill the vacuum left by Sadc, things are still precarious, and Tanzania, a neighbor, is keeping a close eye on things.
Sadc troops are preparing to leave but Rwanda is keeping a force in Mozambique
Because of its natural riches, which include minerals and gas, Cabo Delgado is strategically significant and has become a hub for armed organizations fighting for dominance. Leading the charge is the al-Shabab group, which is not to be confused with its Somali namesake. The insurgency has caused extensive destruction, uprooting more than 110,000 people, and interfering with economic activity. The broader impact of instability on regional development is shown in the significant setbacks suffered by international endeavors, such the LNG project of French energy giant Total Energies.
Tanzania and other nearby nations have strengthened their borders in order to prevent any possible spillover consequences as a result of the increasing violence. Increasing military spending reflects the region’s growing anxiety about the insurgency’s potential cross-border effects. Experts caution about possible coordination between al-Shabab in Mozambique and other extremist organizations functioning in neighboring nations, pointing to a complicated regional security issue that necessitates ongoing international attention.
Long-term peace in northern Mozambique is thought to depend on resolving the underlying social and economic issues, even while immediate military solutions are vital. Long-standing differences in wealth between the country’s north and south, compounded by feelings of prejudice and economic neglect, have fostered grievances that extremist organizations take advantage of in order to attract new members. It is believed that initiatives to advance inclusive development and raise living conditions in Cabo Delgado are essential parts of any long-term peace plan.
The international community must make a critical decision on how best to assist Mozambique in its efforts to restore peace and security as it navigates these difficulties. The ultimate objective must be a comprehensive strategy that tackles the underlying causes of instability and guarantees that every Mozambican can experience a safe and prosperous future, even when military reinforcement is still temporarily necessary.
