Mozambique president fires military chiefs

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has sacked his army and air force chiefs as the country battles an insurgency.

A statement from the presidency did not give a reason for firing Ezequiel Isac, head of the army, and Messias Niposso, head of the air force.

The president also sacked the commander and deputy commander of Samora Machel Military Academy, Cristóvão Chume, and Tiago Nampele respectively.

The deputy commander of Higher Institute of Defence Studies, Francisco Zacarias was also relieved of his duties.

Mozambique has been battling the insurgency in the mineral-rich province since October 2017 and half a million people have been forced from their homes in the past year alone.