Colonel Tefo Ramosie, who led the Special Forces Army
Maseru- Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Major General Matela Matobakele of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) has reported the fascinating events of the LDF’s intervention in Mozambique.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) called for help as Mozambique descended into chaos over resource disputes, leading to brutal killings that threatened regional stability.
“We as LDF had to stop the fight from the origin before it could spread and come to our country,” said Matobakele.
He emphasized the urgent need for intervention. The proliferation of firearms among Mozambican citizens after previous conflicts had turned the region into a hot spot for illegal arms trade, fuelling violence in other countries suchas Lesotho and South Africa.
Matobakele detailed the significant motivations behind Lesotho’s involvement. “We use a lot of electricity from Mozambique, so we had to partake in that war to protect our interests.”
In 2021, Lesotho deployed its first army unit led by Colonel Ramosie. The mission, tense with undisclosed dangers, demanded exceptional bravery from the troops.
“We were not told of the danger of the place our army was assigned to, and if they told us, we would have never released them,” Matobakele revealed, underscoring the risks undertaken by the soldiers.
This Thursday marks the official closing of the Mozambique mission, with Matobakele highlighting the resilience of the LDF. Armies from other countries believed our army was using traditional medicine as protection because they were the only ones that were not attacked by the rebels.
Only the first army contingent returned by car and arrived after six days of travelling from Mozambique to Lesotho, while other units were flown home. The returning soldiers have since received extensive therapy to address the trauma endured, both from SADC and local initiatives.
“Their families were also equipped on how to behave around them at home to avoid any complications that could be caused by trauma,” Matobakele added, stressing the comprehensive support provided.
The mission, initially estimated to last 9-12 months but it lasted more than was expected. All the financial expenses during the war we covered by the government, with soldiers set to receive compensations from both SADC and Lesotho’s government.
The LDF’s involvement has left an indelible impact on Mozambique. “We thank our armies because, through them, Mozambique citizens are back to schools and have all the everyday necessary services which were hindered by this war,” Matobakele stated proudly.
Colonel Tefo Ramosie, who led the Special Forces Army and served as the contingent commander of the Lesotho Collagen in Mozambique, expressed deep gratitude.
“I want to thank Basotho for being with us until we come back through their prayers. Although we lost some of us, we believe their lives will bring peace to the country of Mozambique,” he said, acknowledging the nation’s support.
The LDF’s bravery and sacrifice have not gone unnoticed, with Mozambique Defence Force representatives joining the final boot camp in Lesotho, impressed by the LDF’s operations and seeking further collaboration in training some of their armies in Lesotho.
As Lesotho prepares its soldiers for potential future missions, including a requested intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the nation reflects on its contributions to regional peace and stability.
“We requested some time for them to come back home and mend their mistakes,” Matobakele remarked, highlighting the need for recuperation before new deployments.
