Mozambique: Islamic State claims responsibility for killing nine soldiers
Rádio Moçambique (File photo) / PRM Commander-in-Chief Bernardino Rafael
The Commander-in-Chief of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), Bernardino Rafael, has given the armed men who are disrupting order in Mocímboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado province, seven days hand themselves over to the police authorities along with any firearms and other weapons.
Speaking yesterday at a popular rally in the village headquarters of Mocímboa da Praia, Rafael said that all those who present themselves to the police authorities and hand in their weapons would be amnestied, but warned that after the deadline, the PRM would regard them as terrorists and treat them accordingly.
“If they repent and surrender the weapons and machetes used to attack police units and community leaders, we will forgive them and integrate them into the normal production and development processes of the country,” Rafael said, adding that Mozambique needed peace, which would only be achieved with the commitment of all to development. Therefore he was appealing to “all who have weapons to have a change of heart and surrender so that they can be amnestied”.
During a busy meeting, where one of the attackers was presented, the PRM commander-in-chief said that actions against police units and community leaders must stop and urged everyone to be vigilant.
Rafael stressed that any disturbance retarded the country’s development, which was why vigilance must be redoubled.
So far, 251 people have been detained in connection with the attacks, with 184 prisoners confirmed. Of these, 35 are of Tanzanian nationality. Another 84 were released for lack of evidence.
Rafael gave this information on his first day in Cabo Delgado, where he is holding meetings with the population and administrative structures. The focus is on monitoring defence and security issues in the district, lately the scene of armed attacks on individuals linked to local leadership structures and arson, sowing panic within the community.
During his tour, Bernardino Rafael will hold meetings with residents and administrative structures of Palma, Mueda and Montepuez. After Cabo Delgado, he will proceed to Niassa, Nampula and Zambézia.
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