Mozambique: Jihadi invaded towns back under control – Government

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Mozambique: Jihadi invaded towns back under control – Government

11:52 CAT | 01 Apr 2020

File photo: Lusa

Mozambique’s government spokesman said yesterday that the situation in Mocímboa da Praia and Quissanga “is under control,” a week after armed groups occupied two villages in the north of the country in less than 48 hours.

“The Defence and Security Forces have managed to maintain order and calm and are now circulating in Mocímboa da Praia and Quissanga [two towns in the province of Cabo Delgado],” said Filimão Suaze, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers, without, however, saying how many were killed in the two episodes.

Mocímboa da Praia is about 90 kilometres (90 miles) south of the natural gas megaprojects under construction in the region, while Quissanga is 200 kilometres (200 miles) south, closer to the provincial capital, Pemba.

The government spokesman acknowledged the existence of displaced persons as a result of the attacks but did not give any figures.

“The lives of the people are returning [back to normal], even though, because of fear, some people are moving to Pemba or Nacala [in Nampula, neighbouring province of Cabo Delgado]”, he said.

The attacks were claimed by alleged ‘jihadist’ groups, who in a video distributed on the Internet said the aim is to impose Islamic law in the region.

It was the first message issued by the perpetrators of the attacks that have been taking place for two and a half years in the north-eastern Cabo Delgado province, recorded in one of the villages they invaded.

Cabo Delgado province has been the target of attacks by armed groups that international organisations class as a terrorist threat, and which in two and a half years have claimed at least 350 lives, and 156,400 people have been affected by loss of property or have been forced to abandon their homes and land in search of safe places.

Source: Lusa