Period covered: 1 – 30 November 2024
Summary
Maputo (MOZTIMES) - This report presents and analyses the evolution of the terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado in November 2024.
During this period, the terrorism threat in Cabo Delgado remained a critical challenge for civilians, Mozambique’s Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and their Rwandan partners. This month saw a continuation of terrorist tactics targeting civilian and military vehicles. Key incidents included attacks, kidnappings, and beheadings, highlighting ongoing logistical and operational challenges.
The central theme of this month is the mass desertions and logistical challenges in Mozambique’s Armed Forces, which discusses the causes and implications of soldiers from the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM) who deserted their positions at the Mucojo and Quiterajo combat fronts in Macomia district, in late October. These deserters have reported numerous logistical and operational grievances.
The report analyses the incidents and assesses their implications for security operations and stability in the region.
Key Incidents and Assessments
04 November 2024
- Incident: Insurgents decapitated two individuals following an attack on Mandela village in Muidumbe district. A subsequent attempt to raid Mingalewa was repelled.
- Assessment: Beheadings serve to instil fear in the civilian population and deter collaboration with government forces.
05-06 November 2024
- Incident: Five individuals were kidnapped and tortured in the 5º Congresso village, Nangade district. A confrontation with FADM forces ensued, with no reported casualties on either side. The insurgents claimed the deaths of two Rwandan soldiers in a separate ambush between Cobre and Natoga villages.
- Assessment: Kidnappings may become a means for insurgents to generate ransom funding but also a forced recruitment. This tactic reflects the security forces’ difficulty in preempting such operations.
07 November 2024
- Incident: A group of 15 terrorists attacked Minhanha village, abducting three girls, looting food supplies, and stealing a tractor that was letter abandoned after transporting the looted stuff. They briefly detained local loggers before releasing them. A separate murder occurred in Mapate village.
- Assessment: Minhanha’s strategic location between Macomia, Muidumbe, and Meluco districts makes it a persistent terrorist stronghold. Its dense forests hinder mechanized and aerial reconnaissance operations.
08-10 November 2024
- Incidents:
- Clashes between 20 terrorists and Rwandan forces near Kupri and Namaniko resulted in one Rwandan soldier’s death.
- Terrorists looted food supplies in Nabadje village (Mocímboa da Praia district).
- Ambushes in Gaza village (Macomia district) and between Cobre and Natoga resulted in six FADM deaths and multiple injuries.
- Decapitations and house burnings occurred in Mandela (Muidumbe district) and Mbau (Mocímboa da Praia district).
- Looting continued in Chicowa (Meluco district) and Chicomo (Macomia district).
- Assessment: The coordinated and varied nature of these attacks suggests insurgents are leveraging the national post-electoral unrest to intensify operations and replenish logistical supplies.
12-13 November 2024
- Incidents:
- Terrorists burned eight residences in Mbau (Mocímboa da Praia district).
- Attacks on local militias (Namparamas) in Minhanha resulted in arson, theft of a motorbike, and looting.
- Clashes with Rwandan forces resulted in two Rwandan soldiers’ deaths.
- Assessment: The Namparama militia’s vulnerability underscores the need for better local defense strategies and increased government forces’ credibility among communities.
16-18 November 2024
- Incident: Eighteen Namparama militiamen were brutally decapitated in Nunua and Nakwali (Ancuabe district). Three churches and ten homes were burned, and three motorbikes stolen. The attack followed the militia’s refusal of FADM protection, citing self-reliance.
- Assessment: The massacre highlights the inadequacy of self-defense initiatives and the critical need to rebuild trust between local communities and government forces.
Key Observations
- Operational Trends:
- Terrorist activities remain concentrated along Macomia’s coastal strip and Nangade district.
- The insurgents exploit dense forested terrain for concealment and logistical supply lines, hampering joint military operations.
- Strategic Shifts:
- Increased looting indicates logistical challenges within terrorist hideouts.
- A mix of intimidation and outreach suggests attempts to win civilian support.
- Military Effectiveness:
- Joint operations have mitigated some threats but remain insufficient to eliminate insurgent strongholds.
- Tactical shortcomings, particularly in IED detection and force mobility, persist.
Analysis: Mass Desertions and Logistical Challenges in Mozambique’s Armed Forces
A significant number of soldiers from the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM), estimated at approximately 100 to 150 personnel, have deserted their positions at the Mucojo and Quiterajo combat fronts in Macomia district, Cabo Delgado province late October. These deserters have reported numerous logistical and operational grievances. Chief among these issues is the severe lack of adequate food supplies and uniforms, alongside the use of outdated weaponry, which has negatively impacted their combat effectiveness. Furthermore, troops have remained on the frontlines for extended periods—some exceeding two years—without rotation or relief. This prolonged deployment is attributed to the absence of new infantry training and recruitment efforts in recent years, which has further strained the limited resources of the armed forces.
Chronic resource shortages have been a persistent challenge for the past two years. These shortages have disrupted routine military activities, including training in military schools, and contributed significantly to low morale among troops engaged in counterterrorism operations. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence’s substantial debt to suppliers has exacerbated these problems, with vendors increasingly refusing further deliveries until outstanding payments are cleared.
The lack of financial transparency and excessive secrecy in contracting processes have created an environment conducive to corruption, which has undermined the operational objectives in Cabo Delgado.
In August 2024, the Central Office for Combating Corruption (GCCC) revealed three criminal cases involving five senior officials from the Ministry of Defence. These officials were accused of embezzling 52,309,222.02 meticais (approximately 816,000 USD). The funds were reportedly spent on financial operations for various companies contracted under the pretext of military urgency and contingency but without adherence to procurement regulations. The Ministry of Defence’s productive and economic units, such as Mozambique’s Civic Services and Monte Binga Company, have also failed to mitigate the logistical challenges faced by the armed forces, largely due to inefficiencies and a lack of strategic planning.
The sustained desertions reflect a broader crisis within the military, which remains unaddressed as long as corruption persists and basic issues such as troop rotations, adequate food supplies, and timely salary payments are neglected. The Ministry’s productive and commercial units require credible and operational projects to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on the state budget.
Reforms are urgently needed to streamline procurement, address logistical shortcomings, and rebuild trust within the ranks. Prioritizing the welfare of frontline troops is critical to maintaining morale and ensuring operational effectiveness. Without these changes, the ongoing logistical challenges and corruption within the Ministry of Defence will continue to undermine the operational readiness of FADM and jeopardize Mozambique’s broader counterterrorism objectives in Cabo Delgado.
Conclusion
The November 2024 report highlights the persistent threat posed by insurgents in Cabo Delgado. Despite joint military operations, terrorist groups continue to exploit systemic weaknesses and unrest to sustain their activities. Urgent action is required to address logistical challenges, rebuild trust with local communities, and enhance operational capabilities to mitigate the evolving threat (LR/MS/BN)
