CHIEF OF DEFENSE FORCE LESOTHO VISITS SAMIM FORCES IN CAPO DELGADO PROVINCE – MOZ

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lesotho Defence Force, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela visited SAMIM forces deployed in the Cabo Delgado Province on a 4-day official visit from 15^th to 19^th September 2021. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by the Force Commander of SAMIM, Major General Xolani Mankayi and briefed on the Mission progress since deployment of forces. During his visit, he toured all SAMIM locations in Pemba District including operational areas.

Lieutenant General Letsoela urged SAMIM forces to do their best and make the region proud by degrading the insurgents and stabilising the Cabo Delgado Province with the ultimate goal of achieving peace in the region. In his visit to Nangade village, he had an opportunity to interact with the District authorities who expressed their delight at the arrival and presence of SAMIM forces. The authorities conveyed that a stable life was slowly returning to the District and that humanitarian aid was critical at this point. 

It was during this period that SAMIM forces in support of Forḉas Armadas de Defesa de Moḉambique (FADM), launched an offensive operation, which led to the capture of an Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) insurgents’ stronghold base South of Messalo River. Concurrently, the forces in Nangade District cleared a hideout which had been occupied by the insurgents since the beginning of the conflict. During this offensive, SAMIM forces rescued four elderly women who were then handed over to national authorities.

SAMIM would like to assure the people of Mozambique and SADC of a collective commitment to achieving a peaceful, stable and secure Cabo Delgado as well as the entire country of Mozambique.

ISSUED BY SAMIM