AFRICA. Rwanda/Mozambique: Over 600 Rwandan hostages of terrorists in Cabo Delgado have been rescued through the effort of the Rwandan Security Forces, Mozambican Army and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In a tweet through the official handle of the Ministry of Defence, Government of Rwanda, the success was achieved as a result of an offensive operation carried out by the security forces which lead to the destruction of the terrorists’ hideout in Catupa forest, northeast of Macomia District in Cabo Delgado province.
The statement added that the Islamic State in Mozambique (IS-MOZ) terrorist groups were forced to flee to Nkoe and Nguida localities of the same district as they are still being tracked down by the joint forces.
A 59-year-old Abdulahim Abrugo, who was among the captives of the terrorists for a year, extended gratitude to the joint forces that rescue them from the enemies.
“I applauded the courage of Rwandan Security Forces, who assured him to bring back his daughter who was left in hands of terrorists” Abrugo added.
Macomia district is one of the most important military bases of the Islamic terrorists operating in Cabo Delgado province. It has previously been regarded as the most important strategic stronghold of the Islamists.
According to the United Nations Group of Experts, “There are solid evidence that Rwandan troops conducted military operations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between November 2021 and July 2022 and that Rwanda has supported the M23 rebel group’s advance there.”
The findings were contained in a confidential report seen by Reuters on Thursday. Rwanda has denied accusations by Congo’s government that it supports the M23 and that it has sent troops into the country.
It could be recalled in 2019, that the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson Dr Richard Sezibera, in a press conference, stated that the government of Rwanda assures Rwandans, other residents and visitors that the country is safe for travel, tourism and business.
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