Mozambique: Council of State concerned at terrorism – AIM report

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Mozambique: Council of State concerned at terrorism – AIM report

7:16 CAT | 25 Apr 2021

Photo: O País

Mozambique’s Council of State, a body that advises the President of the Republic, met on Thursday in Maputo and expressed its serious concern at the security situation in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where a jihadist group, known locally as “Al-Shabaab”, has been launching terrorist raids since October 2017, with the explicit intention of establishing Sharia Law.

Chaired by President Filipe Nyusi, the Council encouraged the defence and security forces “to step up combat actions against the terrorists in order to protect the people and their goods”.

In a final communiqué from the meeting, the Council praised the courage of the defence forces in their reaction to the terrorist attack against the town of Palma on 24 March. The Mozambican troops had stood their ground and had expelled the jihadists from Palma by 4 April.

The Council members appreciated the actions under way to strengthen the capacity of state institutions for an effective fight against terrorism and to assist the hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes.

On the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council expressed its satisfaction at the gradual reduction this month of new cases of the disease, as well as of hospitalisations and deaths. However, it remained crucial for citizens to observe preventive measures. The statement condemned irresponsible behaviour which contradicts the collective efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19.

The members of the Council of State include the Chairperson (Speaker) of parliament, previous speakers, previous Presidents of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, the runner-up in the most recent presidential election, four figures chosen by the current President, and seven figures elected by parliament.

Source: AIM