Mozambique legalizes local militias to fight jihadists

2023-04-15T21:04:57.926Z

Highlights: The authorities are legalizing the existence of local militias to fight a jihadist insurgency in the northeast of the country. For 5 years, the province of Cabo Delgado has been plagued by a jihadist guerrilla, which calls itself locally "the Shebabs" Despite the help of regional troops, the conflict is bogged down. This is a further admission that the regular troops on the ground are unable to curb the Islamist insurgency, says a researcher. It is better to have a better equipped and better trained army, especially for respect for human rights.

Mozambique legalizes local militias to fight jihadists

For 5 years, the province of Cabo Delgado has been plagued by a jihadist guerrilla (illustration image) AFP - CAMILLE LAFFONT

Text by: RFI Follow

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The authorities are legalizing the existence of local militias to fight a jihadist insurgency in the northeast of the country. For 5 years, the province of Cabo Delgado has been plagued by a jihadist guerrilla, which calls itself locally "the Shebabs". And despite the help of regional troops, the conflict is bogged down. Last week, the government passed a decree recognizing and authorizing these militias, nicknamed "Força Local", to operate alongside the armed forces present in this province.

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These militias are estimated at several hundred fighters, composed mainly of former members of the struggle for independence, from an ethnic group from the interior in Cabo Delgado province. Armed by the government, these militias, nicknamed Força Local, have been fighting Islamist groups for several years, but until now had no legal recognition.

This decree therefore gives them an official existence. This is a further admission that the regular troops on the ground are unable to curb the Islamist insurgency, says a researcher. The Mozambican army is supported by Rwandan soldiers, as well as troops from SADC, the regional organization, totaling more than 6,000 men.

Several civil society organizations denounce the multiplication of troops on the ground as well as the increase in military spending as the only solution to the crisis.

For researcher Borges Nhamirre, of the Institute for Security Studies, even if it is better for these militias to fight within a legal framework, their use is not a solution to fight against jihadists. It is better to have a better equipped and better trained army, especially for respect for human rights.

► Read also Cabo Delgado: with the Rwandan army in the areas retaken from the jihadists

Mozambique legalizes local militias to fight jihadists

Mozambique legalizes local militias to fight jihadists

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