Mozambique: New UK security advisory for Cabo Delgado ‘relates to payment cards’

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Mozambique: New UK security advisory for Cabo Delgado ‘relates to payment cards’

3:37 CAT | 22 Feb 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Lusa]

The UK High Commission in Mozambique clarified to Lusa on Thursday that its latest security update for travellers refers to the use of Mastercard payment cards, and that its advisory against travelling to Cabo Delgado has been in place since 2023.

A High Commission source explained that on 13 February the information regularly sent to travellers by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), responsible for protecting British interests and citizens abroad, was updated to include information related to the election period in Mozambique and the use of Mastercard.

The same notice maintained the previous recommendations, which were carried over from 2023, in which that body advises against all travel to the districts of Mueda, Nangade, Palma – except Palma town, where the FCDO advises against travel – Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Meluco, Macomia, Quissanga and Ibo in Cabo Delgado province. [See link to the page: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique]

Hundreds of people are fleeing the south of Cabo Delgado province towards neighbouring Nampula province, following the recent intensification of terrorist attacks reported by sources on the ground.

The flight of entire families on foot, as documented by several videos verified by Lusa, has been taking place since Monday and involves residents of Mazeze, Chiúre-Velho, Mahipa, Alaca, Nacoja B and Nacussa, who abandoned the villages, covering more than 20 kilometres along the National Road Number 1 (EN1) before crossing the Lúrio river and the border into Nampula in search of refuge in Eráti district (Namapa).

Attacks by insurgent groups have been reported in several villages and roads in Cabo Delgado in recent weeks, including attacks on vehicles, kidnapping of drivers and demands for money from the population for passage on some roads.

The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed several attacks in recent days, including in Macomia, and the deaths of at least 20 people, one of the most violent in several months.

Through propaganda channels, the terrorist group documented and attack on a position of the Mozambican armed forces, where they seized military material, and claimed yet another attack in Chiúre.

Cabo Delgado province has been facing attacks claimed by IS for six years, which has led to a military response since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), liberating districts near the province’s natural gas projects.

Source: Lusa