Link to article- https://allafrica.com/stories/202103190502.html
This past week, US Special Forces soldiers, known as the “Green Berets,” began the training of Mozambican marines. Only a handful of US soldiers were sent to Mozambique for the training, but according to the New York Times, “It signals the entry of the United States military into a counterinsurgency effort that has been aided so far mainly by South African mercenaries.” A US senior State Department official believes that from this training, the United States will be able to offer more help to Mozambique’s military; such as, combat casualty care, planning, and logistics. Mozambique is in a current state of insurgency, which is being contributed to by neighboring Tanzania; however, their domestic issues – poverty and corruption that plague the country – is what really fuels the insurgency. Along with US interest in Mozambique, Portugal is also interested in sending troops to the area to help train the Mozambican soldiers.
I am curious why the United States and Portugal are interested in getting involved in this conflict. For the United States, it is not extremely surprising because we normally involve ourselves in issues like this, but what do we gain from this one specifically? It is especially interesting because it seems that we plan to further our involvement even more along with our training of their soldiers. Portugal seems to be following suit with us due to their similar response of sending people to train Mozambique’s military. What do they stand to gain from this relationship?
In relation to class, the involvement of Tanzania is most likely due to their borderland status. Borderlands are zones of conflict because of the multi-ethnic status of the population, and this can be stimulated even more by political or administrational issues; such as the current issues in Mozambique. This is a conflict that can not be easily resolved, but it seems that more foreign involvement would be necessary to mediate those involved.