Mozambique: Islamists must be stopped – president on 48th independence day

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Mozambique: Islamists must be stopped – president on 48th independence day

9:30 CAT | 27 Jun 2023

Photo: Presidency

The president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, said on Sunday that it was urgent to stop the rebel incursions that prevail in Cabo Delgado (north) on the day Mozambique celebrates 48 years of independence.

“We celebrate the 48 years of our national independence with the challenge of urgently stemming the outbreaks of terrorist violence that still prevail in some districts of Cabo Delgado,” Filipe Nyusi said in a statement in the nation from Heroes’ Square as part of the central celebrations of the anniversary in Maputo.

According to Filipe Nyusi, the operational efforts of government forces, with support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda, are ensuring the stability needed for the return of populations displaced by the conflict, but the challenge remains in the face of pockets of instability.

“In recent times, we have seen the return of displaced populations to their areas of origin at the mercy of the brave actions of the Mozambican Defence Forces, with support from the forces of friendly countries of SADC and Rwanda,” said Filipe Nyusi.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for five years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State. The conflict has already made one million displaced people, according to the United Nations, and about 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

For the Mozambican head of state, 48 years after the proclamation of independence, the nation should continue to focus on peace and national unity, two fundamental aspects in the framework of efforts for economic development.

“We are all invited to work for peace to be effective and lasting,” Filipe Nyusi noted, highlighting the closure last week of the last base of the armed arm of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the main opposition party, under the peace agreements.

“Since 1975, for the first time on Mozambican territory, there has not been an armed political party,” Filipe Nyusi noted.

The agreement that culminated in the disarmament of the armed arm of the main opposition party, signed in August 2019, was the third between the government and Renamo, the first two having been violated and resulted in an armed confrontation following the contestation of the election results by that opposition political force.

As part of the process, 5,221 Renamo guerrillas returned home.

Mozambique on Sunday celebrated 48 years since the proclamation of independence in 1975 by then President Samora Machel, following an armed liberation struggle against the Portuguese colonial regime, which started in 1964.

Source: Lusa