Mozambique: SERNIC arrests alleged kidnapper - Watch
Illustrative image: Google Maps
Residents of Macomia district, in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, this Monday (20-05) reported shooting and fighting in the forests of Mucojo, 40 kilometres from the district headquarters town.
The exchange of fire has continued since the incursion by insurgent groups in the village of Macomia on May 10, which they abandoned the following day, proceeding to Mucojo, according to local sources.
“It has not been easy since the terrorists invaded the town of Macomia. The shootings intensified in the Mucojo area,” a source told Lusa from the district headquarters.
There are no reports of deaths in these fights, nor reports of people fleeing, but the intensity of the shootings worries farmers in Nambine, less than 10 kilometres from Mucojo, who fear new attacks.
“We don’t know if anyone died among the parties. This torments us and I don’t know if some won’t abandon their machambas (production fields) for Macomia,” one source told Lusa, speaking from Nambin.
Some stores, looted by terrorists during the invasion of the town of Macomia on May 10, remain closed.
“We have no stores operating. The owners abandoned the town of Macomia out of fear, we only have stalls operating at a slow pace,” another source related.
The attack by insurgent groups on the town of Macomia, one of the biggest in recent months, displaced almost 1,500 people from May 10 to 14, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the most recent report from the UN agency, the “attacks and fears of attacks” by these armed groups led to the flight of more than 530 families from Macomia, with 1,461 people registered by the IOM in destination locations, more than half of them (57%) children.
The Ministry of National Defence confirmed the May 10 “terrorist attack”, reporting that one of the group’s leaders was injured by the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM) and another killed.
Later, local sources consulted by Lusa confirmed that at least five bodies were found when the population returned to the town of Macomia, after the insurgent groups left the town – according to some reports, with around 100 men – more than 24 hours later.
The insurgents looted stores and took vehicles and motorbikes.
President Nyusi confirmed the attack late that same morning, explaining that it took place in an area previously controlled by the military of the southern African countries’ mission, which is in progressive withdrawal until July.
“It is true that it is an area occupied by our brothers who support us, in retreat. But those on the ground are 100% Mozambicans. Perhaps there could be reinforcements (…). As they are leaving, I hope we can get together and organise better, because the transition time allows for this,” he acknowledged, amidst praise for the ongoing intervention of the Mozambican military.
Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado has faced an armed rebellion with attacks claimed by movements associated with the extremist Islamic State group.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.