The Inspector General (IGP) of the Mozambican Police, Bernardino Rafael, on Friday, May 13 visited the Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) in Macomia district, Cabo Delgado, where they are fighting against Islamic State (IS)-linked terrorists.
RSF was deployed in Macomia since March 30 this year, in joint operations with the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces (FADM) and the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) against terrorists based in Chai forests.
The aim of Rafael's visit, according to a statement by Rwanda's Ministry of Defence (MoD), was to convey a message from the President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi to the people of Macomia and the RSF.
"He (Rafael) said that the President highly appreciated and commended the important role and contribution of RSF in bringing peace and security in Mozambique by fighting terrorists in Cabo Delgado Province," the statement read.
The villages and towns of Macomia were a stronghold of IS-linked Terrorists group (Ansar Al Sunna Wa Jammah) locally known as Al Shabaab before being defeated and fleeing in disarray to Chai forests, where they are being pursued by the joint forces.
Since the operations started, a number of local population have returned to their homes in different areas including Owasse, Diaca village and Mocimboa da Praia City.
On the visit, Rafael was accompanied by Tomas Badae, the District Administrator of Macomia.
The IGP and the District Administrator met and spoke with over 800 people of Macomia district gathered at the Chai RSF headquarters.
These people had already been sensitized by the RSF to return to their homes in Chai Township where they fled 3 years ago due to terrorists’ attacks.
"The local population appreciated and commended RSF leaders for defeating terrorists and creating a secure environment in Chai Township for the local population to return to their homes. They also revealed that there were over 3000 people in the surroundings of Chai," MoD's statement read.
However, the citizens told the IGP and the District Administrator that they face multiple problems such as lack of food and medical service.
The officials promised to work with International Humanitarian organizations to provide the needed humanitarian relief.