EU-trained units struggle against Mozambique insurgents
Insurgents conducted 154 attacks in five months across 16 districts, while specialised forces are misused.
Mozambique has created 11 rapid-reaction units with European Union assistance to combat insurgents in Cabo Delgado and Niassa. The EU trained soldiers, supplied equipment, and is helping regenerate units between deployments. However, insurgents continue to operate across an expanding area, with specialised forces often used in ways that undermine their training.
Brigadier-General Sérgio Estrela, commander of the EU Military Assistance Mission, stated that the FADM are hindered by excessive command centralisation, intelligence weaknesses, and shortages of equipment and money. He noted that insurgents conducted approximately 154 attacks over the previous five months, spread across about 120 locations in 16 districts. Abductions, used for ransom and recruits, rose from 29% of attacks in the first half of the year to 56% in the most recent quarter.
Estrela explained that this type of enemy requires mobile units capable of receiving intelligence, deploying quickly, striking, and withdrawing. Instead, some rapid-reaction forces have reportedly remained in static positions for months, performing garrison duties. These issues are not resolvable by further training courses.
Why it mattersMozambican soldiers trained by the EU are not effectively countering insurgents due to systemic issues like command and equipment shortages.