The Local Force is a community-based security structure established between 2017 and 2018 in the districts of Palma, Nangade, Mueda, Muidumbe, and Macomia. Its main purpose is to support the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) in countering attacks carried out by insurgents, who began terrorizing the Cabo Delgado province.
In the early years of the insurgency, the attackers primarily used crude weapons such as knives, machetes, axes, and spears. In response, local communities organized themselves into patrol groups in each village, conducting night watches to protect their homes.
Due to the effectiveness of these patrols, the then-President of the Republic, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, decided to support the groups by providing them with weapons, vehicles, and uniforms across the districts most affected by the violence.
Currently, the Local Force is providing security services to at least four private companies, being responsible for the protection of their facilities. One of these companies is AML, located in a forested area between Quionga and Palma, where it is engaged in stone extraction. The company has entrusted the security of its materials and equipment to the Local Force based in Palma-Sede.
According to a member of the Local Force who spoke with Mozanorte, "this is not the first company we’ve worked with." He also mentioned Afrimat, another company located in Manguna, in the Palma district.
Members of the Local Force carry out this work as a means of earning income to support their families. They operate in rotating shifts, with teams switching every fifteen days, to ensure that all members participate, as the group is large and the government does not provide regular subsidies to support their families.
The companies, in turn, also make payments every fifteen days. So far, according to those interviewed, the collaboration between the companies and the Local Force has been running smoothly. (Mozanorte)
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