Police detain 2 foreigners linked to Cabo Delgado attacks

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Police detain 2 foreigners linked to Cabo Delgado attacks

9:00 CAT | 28 Dec 2018

in file CoM

Two foreigners have been arrested in connection with attacks on villages in Cabo Delgado.

Attacks on villages of the province of Cabo Delgado follow at a time when a strong military contingent went to the area, north of Mozambique, to guarantee their security.

This week, Interior Minister Jaime Basílio Monteiro announced the arrest of two foreigners, a Tanzanian and a South African, allegedly linked to the attacks on the villages of Cabo Delgado.

The latest attack took place on December 26 in the village of Ingoane, Macomia district, which resulted in a fatal and decapitated victim, leaving five houses burnt.

The attack came the week the army and police increased their numbers in that province and days after Monteiro announced the arrest of two foreigners in connection with the case.

The two foreigners are believed to be linked to the logistical support structure for the insurgents who have caused panic in the affected region.

Monteiro denied “treating them as terrorists”.

“No, they are not strictly terrorists, the modus operandi or the way we face the horror of that crime can lead us to think in this way, but effectively they are criminals of common crime,” said the minister, adding that “it is organised crime, which is why we are also counting on the collaboration of the neighbouring countries”.

The succession of attacks leads analyst Julião Cumbane to demand a greater intervention of the security forces.

“These issues we are having in Cabo Delgado are expected to be resolved quickly, but I think the Ministry of Defense, the National State Security Services and the Interior Ministry have to coordinate actions to bring safety back to Cabo Delgado,” Cumbane said.

There is currently a trial in Pemba of about 160 citizens detained in connection with the attacks.

Due to the high number of people involved in the case, the country’s judicial authorities are preparing the Nampula Provincial Prison to house the eventual convicts.

“After the conviction, that violent group will be transferred to this penitentiary, then, to ensure the maximum security received, 24 operatives were sent to ensure the security of the establishment itself and they are prepared to contain the violence at any time,” said Rodolfo Cumbana , director of the Northern Regional Penitentiary in Nampula.

On the other hand, the Catholic Church of Mozambique decided to channel all the offers received at the Christmas Mass to support the victims of these attacks, according to Archbishop Luís Lisboa, Bishop of the Diocese of Pemba.

Source: Voa Portugues