Mozambique: Humanitarian worker killed in ambush – Lusa

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Mozambique: Humanitarian worker killed in ambush – Lusa

9:34 CAT | 06 Feb 2023

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: MSF Southern Africa]

An armed attack on public transport on a road in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, killed a Médecins Sans Frontières driver on Saturday, the humanitarian organisation announced in a statement and relatives of passengers reported to Lusa.

“This morning [February 4], an attack occurred on the road between Macomia and Pemba, near Mitambo, in Mozambique, where a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff member, during his day off, was wounded while travelling on public transport to visit his family in Pemba,” the humanitarian organisation described.

It was the second such attack, in the same area of national road 380 (EN 380, one of the main roads in the region), in three days.

The victim died a few hours later while receiving medical care,. “leaving behind his wife and five children.”, the organisation added.

The attack with gunfire and looting of goods culminated in two vehicles being burnt and at least two more people injured, passengers’ relatives described to Lusa.

There were survivors who fled on foot to nearby villages.

“I have confirmed [the attack] with relatives but I am not reassured because more relatives left Macomia for Pemba and I have no news from them,” a 69-year-old woman lamented from Macomia.

Federica Nogarotto, MSF’s head of mission in Mozambique, lamented the death and highlighted the risks incurred by those providing support to the population in northern Mozambique.

“Today, we are grieving as we lost a colleague who, like all staff, was fully committed to assisting displaced families, many times facing significant risks. This is a very sad day for usʺ,” she said.

The organisation said it was “alarmed by continued violence in Northern Mozambique ” and the “indiscriminate attacks killing and wounding civilians in Cabo Delgado”.

On Wednesday, an armed group killed at least two people (sources who were on the scene said, without specifying, that the number is likely to be higher) and injured others in the same area, in another attack on vehicles including public transport, local sources reported.

The incursions come at a time when Mozambican forces have launched operation Volcano IV, covering part of Macomia and Muidumbe districts, aimed at eliminating rebel hideouts.

Médecins Sans Frontières has been active in Cabo Delgado since 2019, including primary health care, mental health and psychosocial support and distribution of essential goods.

Our colleague who worked for MSF as a driver in Macomia since August 2019 was wounded while travelling on public transport to visit his family in Pemba during his day off. A few hours later, he passed away while receiving medical care, leaving behind his wife and five children.

— MSF Southern Africa (@MSF_southafrica) February 4, 2023

Cabo Delgado province has faced an armed insurgency for five years with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The insurgency has led to a military response since July 2021 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.

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

Source: Lusa