Rwanda’s War in Mozambique: Road-Testing a Kigali Principles approach to counterinsurgency?

Ralph Shield

Small Wars and Insurgencies, 2024, vol. 35, issue 1, 80-117

Abstract: Rwandan military behavior in Mozambique operationalizes Kigali’s rhetorical commitment to aggressively defend endangered civilians. The counterinsurgency doctrine applied in Cabo Delgado balances insurgent pursuit and civilian protection through a combination of contact patrolling and tactical restraint. This formula demonstrates learning from the country’s past experience with domestic rebellion and international peacekeeping but contrasts sharply with Rwandan army conduct in eastern Congo. The disparity suggests Rwandan battlefield demeanor is conditioned by institutional culture and role conception. The campaign underscores the influence of ideology on Rwandan soldiers' self-understanding and complicates the equivalence of nondemocratic regime type with repressive strategies of counterinsurgency.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2023.2261400

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