Ntsoaki Motaung
The raging gun battle and devastating situation at the Republic of Mozambique is said to be on a downward spiral which a big plus for communities resident in the Cabo Delgado province.
This comes after the lengthy spat erupted between the terrorists, Islamist Insurgency and government military in Cabo Delgado, north province which birthed a remarkable number of deaths and displacement of families that amounted to 670 000 by the end of 2020.
As a result, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops were deployed to aid in Mozambique three months ago on a programme called SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) which comes to end in January 2022.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Lesotho Defence Force Captain Sakeng Lekola told this paper that there has been positive sign of victory in Mozambique as developments surface.
He indicated that a lot of people who had fled their homes because of the on-going unrests have returned to their homes.
“Most of the public places are back in operation and the electricity power is back. Making it easy for some places to operate like shops and as well as some of the schools are back on operation,†he said.
Lekola stated that the Lesotho Defence Force Commander joined other Defence Commanders for other countries that sent their troops to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).
“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a way forward after the time when the troops deployed in Mozambique leave because their time in the mission ends in January 2022,†he said.
He continued that amongst other issues that were discussed, Commander saw a need for Mozambique Armed Forces to be equipped with more skills.
“Amongst all the discussed, it was also discussed that there has to be a way that Mozambique national could be counselled because they have been in traumatic situation for a long time now. The present at the meeting also discussed how the troops of that country could be assisted when they have to take over and by time they will be working with the Police from that country. And there has to be a way of how they are going to work together,†he said.
Lekola also disclosed that, it was also discussed how and what kind of help different organizations can offer as humanitarian assistance to the country and people affected.
“Not only humanitarian assistance but also how countries can assist with logistical support like helicopters that will be used as the Mozambique Armed Forces with the Police from that country will be overseeing the situation in their country,†he said.