Mozambique: Catholic bishops warn of “disorientation” after attacks in the north

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Mozambique: Catholic bishops warn of “disorientation” after attacks in the north

2:28 CAT | 20 Apr 2018

Maputo's Cathedral / File photo / For illustration purposes only

The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) considers that the lack of accurate information about the armed attacks in the north of the country is causing perplexity and insecurity among the population, and compromising their daily life.

“This lack of accurate and precise news creates a situation of disorientation, perplexity and, ultimately, insecurity, which compromises the normal course of life,” Ernesto Maguengue, the bishop of Xai-Xai in southern Mozambique told a news conference yesterday in Maputo.

Bishop Maguengue said that the authorities should clarify who the perpetrators were and the motives behind the armed attacks in Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique.

“Who is behind, what is meant by this? This is our concern,” he said.

The lack of clarity about the attacks, he continued, might give rise to opportunism and false interpretations, resulting in despair.

“This state of affairs leaves in the population a feeling of instability, fear and perplexity that, in the end, compromises the normal course of life,” he added.

The Episcopal Conference was reporting to the press conference on the meeting of the Mozambican Catholic episcopate which ended yesterday in Maputo.

Some districts in Cabo Delgado, notably Mocímboa da Praia, have since the end of last year been the scene of sporadic attacks by armed groups of supposedly Islamist inspiration, with some deaths and dozens of arrests.

Source: Lusa