Mozambique: EU ready to support efforts to prevent the arming of Cabo Delgado rebels

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Mozambique: EU ready to support efforts to prevent the arming of Cabo Delgado rebels

7:41 CAT | 02 Nov 2022

File photo: Lusa

The European Union (EU) is ready to support “all initiatives” to “prevent” the arming of rebel groups that have been harassing Cabo Delgado in Mozambique for the past five years, said Carlos Zorrinho, MEP.

In addition to the support already reiterated this week, “the EU will cooperate in all initiatives that are put in place to prevent the arming of these groups”, said Carlos Zorrinho, in his capacity as Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Zorrinho was speaking during a press conference to sum up the 42nd session of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)-EU assembly, a meeting that ends today in Maputo and at which Cabo Delgado and terrorism were present themes.

Zorrinho suggested the creation of a network of countries that would work together to “monitor and prevent” access to arms by groups that “end up being factors of pressure and impetus for terrorism”.

“The EU is in favour of absolute control in terms of the destination of arms”, he said.

According to the official, an “increased effort” is underway to “multiply dialogue” and create “situations closer to peace” in Cabo Delgado, a region in northern Mozambique terrorised by armed violence since 2017.

READ: Mozambique: President appeals for more EU arms to combat insurgency in Cabo Delgado – Lusa

ALSO READ: Mozambique: Nyusi rejects imposition of policies – AIM report | Watch

Some attacks are claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The insurgency has led to a military response since a year ago with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), liberating districts near gas projects, but new waves of attacks have emerged south of the region and in neighbouring Nampula province.

In five years, the conflict has left one million people displaced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and around 4,000 dead, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

READ: New Cotonou Agreement will help fight terrorism by creating more jobs – AIM

Working audience with the President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi, together with the Co-President of the JPA ACP-EU @kenilorea and with the Vice-President of the European Commission @dubravkasuica @EP_Development @PressACP pic.twitter.com/NztWMBTqma

— Carlos Zorrinho (@czorrinho) November 1, 2022

“Global problems that are reflected locally must be resolved through multilateral partnerships, as the case of Cabo Delgado exemplifies, in which the role of the ACP/EU partnership is very important. “ ⁦@EP_Development⁩ ⁦@PressACP⁩ ⁦@kenilorea⁩ pic.twitter.com/fx5MQSUsdq

— Carlos Zorrinho (@czorrinho) October 31, 2022