An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 19 O n the 5th October 2017, in the town of Mocímboa de Praia, Mozambique, an armed group of thirty insurgents targeted three police stations, killing seventeen people that included three police officers and a community leader. During this brief at- tack, the insurgents stole firearms and ammunition while pro- claiming affiliation with Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda affiliated group situated and operating out of southern Somalia. Mozambique, a former colony of Portugal, is a country in south- east Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest. The capital is Maputo while Matola is the largest city, being a suburb of Maputo. Like many African countries, Mozambique is no stranger to violence having endured a War of Independence that stretched from 1964 to 1974 when it achieved independence, which was then followed by a Civil War from 1977 to 1992. The country is recovering from this time of unrest and democracy has stabilised the country. As with many of its neighbours, Mozam- bique is endowed with rich and extensive natural resources though the country's economy is largely based on agriculture; but industry is growing with food and beverages, chemical manufacturing and aluminium and petroleum production. The Tourism sector is also growing with many foreign tourists visiting the country. The recent insurgency is stems from an Islamist militant group named Ansar al Sunna, who want to establish an Islamic state in Mozambique. Ansar al Sunna also known as 'Ahlu Sunnah Wajamo' (translated 'adepts of the prophetic tradition') was a religious move- ment in the northern districts of Cabo Delgado which first appeared in 2015. The group was formed by followers of the radical Kenyan cleric, Aboud Rogo, who was killed in 2012. The group worked out of Kibiti in Tanzania before moving to Mozambique where they have launched a number of attacks against government installations, vil- lages and towns. The group claim that Islam as practised in Mozambique has been corrupted and no longer follows the teachings of Muhammad. Their campaign commenced with gunmen entering mosques intimidating and threatening worshipers to follow the organisation's radical be- liefs. They have also tried to prevent people from attending hospitals and schools which they consider secular and anti-Islamic. Instead of winning the people over, their behaviour has alienated local popula- tion. Within a short period of time the group became increasingly violent, calling for Sharia law to be implemented in the country. The group established training camps in the Macomia District, Mocímboa da Praia District and the Montepuez District. Here recruits were trained by disgruntled ex-policemen and military personnel who held grudges against the government. Mercenaries were also employed to train insurgents with others travelling out of the coun- try to receive direct training by other militant groups. Government intelligence has identified six men as leaders of the militants in the region of Cabo Delgado: Abdul Faizal, Abdul Raim, Abdul Remane, Ibn Omar, 'Salimo', and Nuno Remane. The group, like many terrorist organisations, receives funding through heroin, contraband and the ivory trade. Poaching is consid- ered a risk-free way of raising funds for insurgency groups. While religion has played and still does play an important role in attracting recruits, analysts believe that like many insurgencies throughout the world, it is widespread social, economic and political problems in Mozambique that are the root of this insurgency. Youth unemployment is a major factor that needs to be addressed, as does education. Increasing inequalities have led many young people to be attracted to radical movements and this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The Government has signed an agreement with Russia that provides technical cooperation, arms and military equipment, all as part of the war on terrorism. Police and military forces have clashed numerous times with the insurgents with casualties on both sides. In September 2018, twelve people were killed when Jihad- ists attacked the village of Paqueue in the province of Cabo Deelgado. The attackers burned fifty-five houses. Of those that were killed, ten were shot, two were burned to death and at least one of the victims was decapitated post- mortem. The insurgency is not unified, with various cells conducting the war against the government. With these groups divided, the government has a chance to contain and eradicate the problem. They must also address the country's social and economic problems that will help the people of Mozambique. However, if outside influences manage to unite these groups, the government of Mozambique may have to face an all-out war with Islamic insurgents, a prospect that nobody wants to see.

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