The Rwandan military on Sunday announced they had recaptured control of a key port city in northern Mozambique from the extremist militants, reported France 24.
“The port city of Mocimboa da Praia, a major stronghold of the insurgency for more than two years has been captured by Rwandan and Mozambican security forces,” the Rwanda Defence Forces noted in a social media post.
The port town has been the de-facto headquarters of the Islamic State-linked extremists, locally referred to as Al-Shabab, since last year.
Mocimboa da Praia “was the last stronghold of the insurgents, marking the end of the first phase of counter-insurgency operations which is dislodging insurgents from the stronghold,” Force spokesman colonel Ronald Rwivanga said in a text message.
The spokesman said the Rwandan forces will continue with security operations to completely pacify the captured areas. He said he is hopeful that the displaced people would soon be able to return to their homes.
Rwanda had deployed 1,000 soldiers to Mozambique to fight the militants, who launched an insurgency in 2017.
The insurgency has killed over 3,000 people and displaced more than 820,000 so far. The Mozambican armed force has not been successful in regaining control of the province.
Last week, the Rwandan forces announced their first success since deploying, saying they had helped the Mozambique military in regaining control of Awasse.
Some neighboring countries under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are also deploying military in Mozambique to smoke out the insurgents.
Botswana is the first SADC country to deploy 296 soldiers in the insurgency-hit country. the Botswanian President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is the head of the defense and security arm of the 16 members regional bloc, has been outspoken on the urgent need for regional stability.
Last month, South Africa announced it would deploy 1,495 soldiers. Zimbabwe has also announced plans to send 304 non-combat soldiers to train Mozambique’s military troops.
