Four days ago, in the district of Mocímboa da Praia, a meeting took place in which the local population sought to engage in dialogue with district authorities. However, the meeting did not end well, as tensions escalated and, in the end, no resolution was reached due to a lack of understanding between the community and the authorities.
According to videos circulating on social media, posted by people who were present at the meeting, residents of Mocímboa da Praia were protesting against the presence of Mozambican troops, chanting: “We want Rwanda, we want Rwanda!” Faced with the unrest, district authorities were unable to manage the situation at the time.
Two days later, some individuals who had been present and who better understood the context of the chants were still unable to clarify the real meaning behind them, largely because of the intensity of the situation. Many were also afraid to speak up, fearing they might be attacked by the crowd, who misunderstanding the message could react violently before any explanation could be given. As a result, they chose to remain silent.
A new explanation regarding the chants during the Mocímboa da Praia meeting has now emerged: the local population feels betrayed by the Rwandan forces. In the early years following the arrival of Rwandan troops in the country especially in districts affected by terrorism they were seen as friends and brothers of the people. Every complaint or concern related to security was met with a swift and serious response.
Today, however, when residents report issues to the Rwandans, the response is no longer what it used to be. Instead, they simply ask in their language, Swahili, “Where did you see it?” followed by comments such as, “We’ve seen it, they won’t do anything.” This change has led to growing frustration among residents, who called the meeting specifically to ask the Rwandan forces for an explanation regarding this shift in behavior.
The purpose of the meeting in Mocímboa da Praia was solely to allow the community to ask questions directly to the Rwandan troops. However, the situation quickly deteriorated when a vehicle from the Mozambican Police (UIR) arrived. Since then, the community has remained concerned, still hoping for an opportunity to speak directly with the Rwandans.
Many residents returned to Mocímboa da Praia precisely because of the presence of Rwandan troops. Now, however, they feel ignored by the very forces that once supported and protected them. The main question being asked by the population is: What is the true role of the Rwandan forces today? (BP)
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