Name assigned by coder: | no |
PGM ID Number: | 71 |
Country: | Mozambique |
Date formed: | June 5, 1990 |
Accuracy of date formed: | year |
Details of Formation: | The militia was formed in 1990 as a local force in Nampula. After success in this province, the militia extended their operations to Zambezia province. |
Date dissolved: | Aug. 8, 1994 |
Accuracy of date dissolved: | day |
Details of Termination: | Police collected weapons 1994. |
Termination Type(s): | disarmed |
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: | 938 |
Government Relation: | informal (type 1) |
Created by the Government?: | no | Main Creating Government Institution: | none |
Government Link(s): | sub-national government |
If link to party, name of party: | (Frelimo) |
Training and Equipment: | no |
Shared Information and Joint Operations: | no information |
Shared Personnel: | no information |
Type(s) of Material Support: | plunder and loot; villagers |
State Sponsor(s): | none |
Other Connection(s): |
Membership: | religious; village/rural |
Primary Membership: | religious |
Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
Location: | Zambezia, Nampula |
Force Strength: | [unknown, 9000] |
Target(s): | rebels, insurgents, or other armed group |
Purpose(s): | protect state, national or religious institutions |
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: | In 1991, Naparama’s spiritual leader died. The militiamen believed in a spiritual power which was supposed to make them invulnerable to spears and injuries. Other names of the militia were Naprama and Nacrama. |
Purpose: | The government aligned with the militia to support the regular armed forces in their war against the rebel Mozambican National Resistance. |
Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | unknown |
Treatment of Civilians: | Group members were supported by villagers who brought them food. It is unclear whether the residents were coerced to do so or if they actually supported Naparama. |
Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | unknown |
PGM Members Coerced? | no |
PGM Members Paid? | no |
Reasons for Membership: | Members strongly believed in the spiritual powers of the PGM’s leader. They included local residents from Nampula province and former refugees. |
PGM Members Killed? | no information |
Size: | The militia had 9,000 members in 1994. |
Weapons and Training: | The militia was equipped with spears and rifles. |
Organisation: | The PGM was led by a spiritual leader who was worshipped by many of the group’s members as liberator. |