Africa Monitor Intelligence

Mozambique: Insurgents with Initiative, Mobility and Capacity to Infiltrate FADM

The recent attack on Palma is described in military circles as a direct result of the lack of operational command capacity of the new FADM chiefs. Both Adm. JOAQUIM MANGRASSE (JM), the new CEMG, Brig. CHONGO VIDIGAL (CV), recently promoted from Cor. and new commander of Northern Operational Front (TON), have limited knowledge of the terrain.
Insurgents' access to strategic and operational information on the fragility of the Advanced Command Post (PCA) in Palma was one of the factors that allowed the success of the 24.MAR assault.
Insurgents withdrew from Palma throughout the week, after having destroyed and plundered the village and claimed an as yet undetermined number of deaths. The withdrawal was planned, given the improbability of being able to maintain control of the territory, but evidence points to the persistence of armed cells in the vicinity of Afungi, with the aim of putting pressure on government forces and companies subcontracted by LNG operators.
The occupation of the host village in the Macomia district will be on the insurgents' plans, thus confirming the freedom of maneuver in the Quirimbas region. The spread of the guerrilla is forcing the government to disperse the FADM and PRM/ UIR across several regions simultaneously, making the defense of the territory more vulnerable. READ MORE