The African Union (AU) finally acknowledged the threat posed by terrorists in Mozambique but the question is, can the African Union help Mozambique combat terrorism?
The emergence and rapid growth of the Islamic States Terrorists Group affiliate in Central Africa, ISCAP continues to establish foothold compounding the challenge of countering violent extremism in East and Central Africa. ISCAP attracts especially foreign fighters from the entire region but singularly dozens of East African youths camping on jihadists social networks and high dimension communication networks seeking for Hijra.
Terrorist insurgents have attacked towns and villages in Cabo Delgado, the poorest province in Mozambique with little counter-terrorism efforts from the government. Limited results have so far been attained against the insurgents believed to have originated from Tanzania, radicalizing local youth and multiplying the threat.
The terror group is majorly comprised of local unemployed youth in Mozambique but recent intelligence reports show that Tanzanians make up a huge percent of the members of the group. Radical Tanzanians who were unable to travel to Somalia have found their way south and have joined ISCAP.
AU Acknowledge Threat in Mozambique
Africa Union for the first time discussed the escalating terrorist threat in Mozambique at the 33rd African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa. The AU discussion comes after more than two years since the insurgency started in the northern Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.
Last week, the United Nations had warned of increased terrorist attacks spreading southwards.
UN put 28 attacks having taken place in Cabo Delgado since the beginning of 2020. At least 100 000 people have been displaced and at least 400 killed since the beginning of the insurgency.
The terrorist insurgents have randomly been targeting local villages and population, killing torturing, maiming, burning their homes and destroying crops and shops according to a report by the UN High Commission for the Refugees (UNHCR). Cases of beheading, kidnappings and disappearances of women and children are increasing, the report adds.
Despite the notable reports and warnings of the terrorist outfit spreading, there has been little or no mention of Mozambique at the African Union until now. According the 66-page AU report, the northern region of Mozambique and that border areas with Tanzania face a high risk of overspill of terrorist activities from those regions of the continent that are already stricken.
How Will AU Help Mozambique Combat Terrorism?
Responding to the Mozambique situation, AU Commissioner for peace and security Smaїl Chergui stressed that the AU could help Mozambique combat terrorism by information sharing, providing equipment and most importantly training their soldiers. Chergui noted that the Mozambique situation is totally a new phenomenon that will require a whole new approach for the players in order to act and respond decisively.
The African Union has over the years enhanced intelligence sharing. The body initiated the new headquarters of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa on the margins of the summit.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi recently admitted that Mozambique needed external help to fight terrorism. Last year Mozambique called on Russia for help, and numerous Russian mercenaries arrived in Mozambique. Many were however reportedly killed, and those remaining have retreated to Pemba.
An AU official who attended closed discussions on peace and security at the summit reiterated that while Mozambique acknowledged they needed assistance, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) should not turn a blind eye on their situation but rather should intervene with all resources may be needed to avert gains so far made by the terror outfits steadily establish ground.
