Mozambique: Region must understand “modus operandi” of armed groups in Cabo Delgado – Nyusi

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Mozambique: Region must understand “modus operandi” of armed groups in Cabo Delgado – Nyusi

4:30 CAT | 20 May 2020

Photo: Twitter

President Nyusi of Mozambique says it is essential the Southern African Development Community (SADC) understands the “modus operandi” of armed groups in Cabo Delgado, noting that other countries in the region have already experienced similar problems.

“We need to communicate more with our colleagues [neighbouring countries] so that they understand the ‘modus operandi´ [of these groups],” Filipe Nyusi said after a meeting of the SDAC’s Troika Organ on Politics, Defense and Security’ in Harare on Wednesday.

The meeting brought together Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, (as current Chair of the Organ), Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana (Incoming Chairperson) and Zambian President Edgar Lungu (Outgoing Chairperson). in addition to the Mozambican head of state.

For Filipe Nyusi, armed violence in Cabo Delgado is a problem that has already affected other countries in the region, a fact which justifies the involvement of all in the fight against these groups.

“This problem started up there [more to the north in East Africa], went to Kenya, was in Tanzania and arrived in Mozambique. So, it is necessary that, with some anticipation, we can share experiences and realities,” President Nyusi said

“The Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit plus Mozambique committed and urged SADC Member States to support the Government of Mozambique in fighting against the terrorists and armed groups in some districts of Cabo Delgado,” reads part of the communique issued at the end of the meeting.

Cabo Delgado, a region where megaprojects for the extraction of natural gas are moving forward, is facing attacks by armed groups classified as a terrorist threat since October 2017, incursions that have already killed at least 550 people in this period.

Mozambican authorities account for a total of 162,000 people affected by armed violence.

In late March, the towns of Mocímboa da Praia and Quissanga were invaded by a group, which destroyed several infrastructures and hoisted their flag over a Defence and Security Forces. barracks.

On that occasion, in a video distributed on the Internet, an alleged ‘jihadist’ militant said the attacks by armed groups in northern Mozambique aimed to impose Islamic law in the region.

It was the first message released by alleged authors of the attacks that have occurred since October 2017 in the province of Cabo Delgado, in a video recorded in one of the towns they invaded.

Source: Lusa / Voa News Zimbabwe