There Is a lack of cooperation between the Defense and Security Forces and the population in the districts affected by terrorism in Cabo Delgado

With everything that is happening in Cabo Delgado Province, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), in coordination with the local government, saw the need to select some young people from villages, administrative posts, and neighborhoods in district headquarters to undergo a few days of security training in order to assist the forces deployed in the affected areas.

The young people were trained at the Metoro Administrative Post in Ancuabe District. However, they say that due to threats made by local leaders themselves, they are afraid to report information. Although they have contact numbers of district commanders, the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR), the Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique (FADM), and the Local Force to report any suspicious situation detected within the communities, many avoid doing so.

According to the youths, they are unable to carry out the work as they were trained because of fear. They claim that after providing information, they are often treated like suspects and subjected to many questions, which discourages them from speaking out.

As a result, some of the youths trained to support security in the districts end up indirectly allowing the enemy to infiltrate villages, even when they notice suspicious movements. Instead of informing the FDS, they prefer to flee in order to protect their own lives.

The youths trained for this mission also say that they are not performing their duties effectively due to the lack of proper coordination with the FDS. According to them, there is some level of coordination with the Local Force, and at times they are able to pass on information. However, when the Local Force commander is unreachable, the information often goes unreported.

The youths believe that if the FDS worked more closely with them, the fight against insecurity would achieve better results. Furthermore, they appeal to all district force commanders to maintain good collaboration both with the youths involved in this mission and with the general population, because a great deal of important information is lost due to fear and threats allegedly associated with the FDS. (BP)