People's militia and vigilance brigades (Mozambique)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
69
|
| Country: |
Mozambique |
| Date formed: |
July 7, 1981 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
year
|
| Details of Formation: |
|
| Date dissolved: |
Jan. 1, 1994 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
year
|
| Details of Termination: |
A cease-fire commission began dissolving the militia in late 1993. The militiamen argued they would only accept disarmament when they were paid a financial compensation. |
| Termination Type(s): |
disarmed
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no |
| Former Armed Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
yes |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
governing party
|
| Government Link(s): |
political party
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
Frelimo |
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The government armed and organized civilians into vigilance militias that were supposed to repel other armed groups financed by South Africa. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
unknown
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
President Chissano portrayed the militia as very effective tool to protect the civilian population from attacks by the Mozambique National Resistance movement. For instance, militiamen killed members of armed gangs. There are no reports on how the militia treated civilians. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
killing
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no information |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
No information. |
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
The militia had about 500 members. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
In 1989, the national parliament approved that the militia would receive official training. Some of the PGM’s weapons were seized in 1984. There is no information on training sessions or details on weapons. |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
In 1987, there were calls to establish a national high command of the militia in order to integrate the group into the government’s security apparatus. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Evidence
