Mozambique: Locals flee into woods after insurgents appear

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Mozambique: Locals flee into woods after insurgents appear

3:59 CAT | 24 Jan 2024

Map: Wikimedia Commons

Dozens of inhabitants of villages in the Quissanga district in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado have fled in the face of the proximity of terrorist groups since Sunday, local sources told Lusa on Wednesday.

A local source told Lusa that on Tuesday night an alleged 28-strong terrorist group passed by the headquarters of the administrative post of Mahate, the second most important in Quissanga district, causing dozens of residents to flee to the forests and adjacent districts.

“Dawn did not break well for us in Quissanga. From yesterday to today, terrorists have been circulating – at least 28 of them passed near Mahate, some armed, others not, but we panicked,” said one resident who last night slept in the forests and this morning arrived at the Metuge district headquarters.

During the escape, he lost contact with his 17-year-old brother, multiplying his anguish. He describes the night in the forest as difficult and practically sleepless.

Another source maintained that the terrorist group was in disarray and running away from the Defence and Security Forces in the Macomia, Meluco and Quissanga perimeter, and that they might be on the run in an attempt to reach Muidumbe district.

“If it weren’t for fear of the Defence and Security Forces, they would kill the population, but no, and there are no reports of looting of property. A sign that they are afraid; they are just looking for a hiding place,” said the source, from Quissanga district headquarters.

On Sunday night, around 7:00 p.m., the terrorists camped for the night and ate in the village of Missone, forcing some people to flee to the woods for fear of further attacks.

“They spent the whole night in Missone. They ate, and didn’t hurt anyone. They say they are there to protect the population, but they are not trustworthy,” another source from Quissanga district headquarters said.

Some sources told Lusa that the Defence and Security Forces were on the ground trying to contain the situation, but refuse to say whether clashes were recorded between the parties or whether terrorists killed people or looted property in the movements of the last few days.

People from Mucojo in Cabo Delgado told Lusa on Monday that that administrative post has since Sunday been under the control of a group of terrorists.

“The administrative post of Mucojo has been in the hands of terrorists since Sunday, but the population remains there. They told the population not to worry, as they only want to confront the military,” one source told Lusa on condition of anonymity.

The administrative post of Mucojo, in the district of Macomia, an important fishing hub, is 40 kilometres away from the Macomia district headquarters town, and plays an important role in the region. It has been the scene of several clashes with the military in recent weeks.

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Cabo Delgado province has been facing an armed insurgency for six years with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State, which has led to a military response since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), freeing districts near gas projects.

The conflict has already displaced one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and around 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

Source: Lusa