Isis’ operations in northern Mozambique pose a threat to the whole of Southern Africa.
Maj.Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Special Forces Command for Africa, issued the warning while warning that private military contractors should not be used in the fight against the militants.
This is partly because they can bring “luggage” with them and cause further division.
Anderson spoke at an online media conference about America’s efforts to help fight terrorism in Africa amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
There has been growing interest in what is going on in Mozambique lately after extremist Islamic terrorist groups began in 2017 to seep into the northern province of Cabo Delgado, on the border with Tanzania.
A large number of people have already died in the violence and thousands have been left homeless.
The area is rich in oil and gas and several countries, including America, Britain, Russia, France and China, have interests there.
In addition to Mozambique, terrorist groups are also active in other parts of Africa. Some of them have ties to each other.
At this stage, the South African Dyck Action Group, which belongs to the former Zimbabwean soldier Lionel Dyck, is assisting the Mozambican government in the fight against the militants. The Russian Wagner group was also involved in the past.
Recently, there has been increasing speculation that South Africa may become involved as part of a task force of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
However, the government is very quiet about this, but progress is apparently being made within the SADC with a plan.
The Americans’ Special Forces Command works primarily with special forces in Africa that fight terrorism. The Americans help these forces with training, mentorship and the improvement of their abilities, among other things.
The special forces command is currently still based in Germany, but due to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw US troops from that country, they may be moved to another country in Europe, or may be controlled from America itself.
Anderson said at Tuesday’s media conference that while there are no military solutions to terrorist attacks, armies have a role to play.
“The military man is very much like a firefighter. He is there to help, but if he rings the fire bell, it is already too late, ”says Anderson.
“We will have to focus on the third and fourth orders on which the extremists are baiting. “America will continue to assist and train its partners fighting violent extremists.