Mozambique’s Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security has declared that all military operations conducted in the Northern Operational Theatre are lawful, arguing that the ongoing actions are essential to safeguarding national sovereignty and restoring stability in Cabo Delgado Province.
According to O País newspaper, the position was expressed during a working visit by the parliamentary committee to the province as part of its oversight of the counterterrorism campaign against insurgent groups operating in the region.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Defence and Security Committee, Pedro Comissário, said that operations carried out by the Defence and Security Forces are being conducted within the framework of the law and are necessary to protect the State and communities affected by the insurgency.
“These operations are necessary to protect the State and the affected populations,” Pedro Comissário said, arguing that the military campaign is contributing to the restoration of stability in Cabo Delgado Province.
The lawmaker also dismissed criticism from some sectors of society regarding the methods used in the fight against terrorism, maintaining that the measures adopted by the government are necessary to address the security threat.
According to Comissário, the actions undertaken by the authorities form part of broader efforts to ensure national security, preserve Mozambique’s sovereignty and respond effectively to the challenges posed by armed groups operating in the region.
During the mission, the Defence and Security Committee is expected to assess the security situation in the Northern Operational Theatre, evaluate the progress achieved by security forces on the ground and gather information on the challenges that continue to hamper counterterrorism efforts.
The parliamentary visit is being conducted as part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight responsibilities regarding the actions of State institutions in safeguarding national security and territorial integrity.
Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado—a province rich in natural resources, particularly natural gas—has faced an armed insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and triggered a humanitarian crisis, displacing more than one million people.
Source: Diário Económico
