Good morning and welcome to Friday’s newsletter. Defence minister Cristóvão Chume told parliament yesterday that the armed forces face “great difficulties” in acquiring lethal equipment because the defence investment budget has no room for new weapons or ammunition. It is true that the sector has taken cuts, and that replacing old kit is costly. But focusing on the lack of money risks missing the real issues holding back Mozambique’s military.
The full Daily Briefing continues below for Pro subscribers. Subscribers to the Zitamar News tier can read the top half, including the full leader article, here.
The biggest problems are not financial. They are structural — and, in some cases, criminal.
For years, frontline soldiers in Cabo Delgado have complained that they do not receive the basic supplies they need: rations, fuel, uniforms, communications gear, and medical support. These shortcomings persist even though the state allocates money for them. The problem is not simply that the government cannot afford these items; it is that they do not consistently reach the troops.
This is largely a logistics failure. The armed forces lack the qualified personnel and systems needed to ensure that equipment moves efficiently from procurement to storage to the battlefield. Without competent logistics and administration, even a well-funded army will struggle to maintain readiness.
