Mozambique’s President, Filipe Nyusi, appointed Arsenia Felicidade Felix Massingue as the country’s first female interior minister in a historic move on Thursday. 

Before her appointment, Massingue was the chief commissioner of immigration.

She has also worked as the provincial police commander in the provinces of Inhambane, Manica and Nampula.

Massingue will replace the former interior minister, Amade Muquidade, who was “relieved” of his duties on Wednesday, following concerns over competence, as Mozambique battles a four-year Islamist insurgency.

Mozambique’s defence minister was also replaced, with Cristovao Chume assuming office, following Jaime Neto’s dismissal. 

Chume is a major-general noted for commanding the forces that recovered many towns from rebel forces, including Mocimboa da Praia in the jihadist-hit Cabo Delgado province.

On Wednesday, Nyusi made an address before a military sergeants graduation ceremony on the matter, saying, “A leader or commander in the area of defence and security cannot afford to sleep (on the job), especially during war times.

“The positions you hold do not allow you to be distracted. Your responsibilities are clear. The armed forces must defend the nation.”

Massingue will be expected to use her expertise to effectively tackle the issues of terrorism, corruption and kidnappings.