Floods Strike Mozambique

 

Mozambique is experiencing massive floods. The flooding is also effecting South Africa and Zimbabwe. Rivers flowing into Mozambique experienced banks bursting. Gaza province as a result saw the flood destroy homes, businesses, and multiple public property. The heavy rains became dangerous forcing people to flee. Rescue operations are being conducted. Mozambique has faced a number of natural disasters over the years. Cyclones and droughts persist. Floods are becoming more of a threat. Displaced persons are estimated to be 300,000. The residents will struggle to find housing and efforts to rebuild require a large labor force. President Daniel Chapo now faces a financial obstacle of recovery. The flooding was so severe that President Daniel Capo canceled going to the World Economic Forum. Heavy rainfall has been accumulating for weeks in the Southern African region. Assuming this pattern of flooding continues, Southern African nations must make preparations. SADC needs to coordinate a regional natural disaster response. Doing so would reduce the negative aftermath of natural disasters. 

Tanzania And Mozambique Form An Alliance Against Terrorism

 

The escalation of violence has encouraged Tanzania to seek an alliance with Mozambique against terrorism. The combat in the Cabo Delgado region has also gotten the attention of other African nations. Rwanda also has involvement in the conflict. Both countries have not revealed the details of the nature of the security agreements. Tanzanian president Samia Hassan expressed the need for border security with Mozambique. The concern over destabilization of the east and south African region remains a concern. The conflict has been going on since 2017 and all insurgents have not been defeated. The origins of the terrorist group remains unclear. Analysts suggest they are ISIS affiliated. There is a possibility that the terrorist group has a domestic origin. If it is foreign backed it could be used for the purpose of regime change or asymmetric warfare. The Southern African Development Community might have to develop a plan for longtime military operations. Collaboration with the African Union is also a necessity . The question remains of what is the level of involvement of al-Shabab. The group is known to operate in Kenya and Somalia. The terrorist organization could have greater reach across Africa than previously thought. The reason to retake Cabo Delgado is to protect the economic center. Another dire need is to assist the population fleeing the province. The number of internally displaced persons has increased since the beginning of the conflict. The security pacts were a rational choice for Tanzania and Mozambique to ensure regional stability. 

Rwanda Is Conducting Military Operations In Mozambique

 

Rwanda has been fighting in Mozambique. Since August it appears the 1,000 troop force has been successful in taking back control of Cabo Delgado. The armed insurgency is thought to be connected to either ISIS or al-Shabab. There still remains uncertainty if this is entirely local or work from an external terrorist organization. Discord in the area was growing in 2017, which escalated into violence. Rwanda is not the only country active in Mozambique. Mostly African countries of the Southern African Development Community are aiding Mozambique's military. The question is whether or not President Filipe Nyusi will become more dependent on President Paul Kagame. Long term occupations do not work and there is potential for a violation of national sovereignty. Rwanda has seen the horrors of conflict. Having experienced a civil war and genocide military entanglements could endanger the decades of peace. The gas rich region is also of interest to foreign investors, which maybe way it the conflict in Mozambique has gotten more attention. TotalEnergies was forced to halt work on the liquified natural gas project due to the attack in Palma. The conflict will enable Rwanda to have more of an influence in Mozambique. The actions of  regional organizations are being put to the test. The SADC risks making the situation are larger humanitarian crisis if more military operations are conducted. Rwanda could find itself  in a larger war of attrition.