Mozambique and Tanzania need better cooperation to combat terrorism, says official

By Jorge Joaquim

Mozambique needs to adapt its model of defence in response to the terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado province, the permanent secretary of the defence ministry has said.

Casimiro Mueio was speaking during the third session of the joint commission on defence and security held between Mozambique and Tanzania.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the so-called classic conflicts tend to be replaced by low intensity conflicts characterised by asymmetric warfare actions, in which terrorism stands out”, Mueio said.

He added that the two countries needed to cooperate better to respond to regional threats including terrorism, piracy, illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

The terrorists’ progress is being helped by Mozambique and Tanzania having a different approach to the conflict.

The Mozambican government says that Tanzania is not doing enough to control the border, and Tanzania says that the conflict in Cabo Delgado is internal and must be resolved by Mozambique.

Tanzania’s new president has never taken part in meetings of the Southern African Development Community to discuss the insurgency, and has made clear that it will not send troops to Mozambique, the news sheet added.