Mozambique: Portugal condemns armed insurgence in northern territory

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Mozambique: Portugal condemns armed insurgence in northern territory

8:48 CAT | 26 Mar 2021

File photo: Lusa

The Portuguese ministry of foreign affairs has “strongly condemned” the terrorist attack in the town of Palma in northern Mozambique, stressing Portugal’s commitment to cooperation to stabilise the region.

“We follow the situation with concern and in close communication with the Mozambican authorities. We reiterate our solidarity with the authorities and the Mozambican people,” the Portuguese government added.

The ministry also noted Portugal’s “commitment to strengthening cooperation with Mozambique,” both bilaterally and with the European Union, to support the stabilisation of the situation in Cabo Delgado province.

In the statement, the Portuguese government did not refer to Portuguese citizens affected by the terrorist attack that began on Wednesday.

The Mozambican ministry of defence confirmed on Thursday an armed attack on the town of Palma, saying that the defence and security forces were pursuing the enemy’s movement and were working tirelessly to re-establish security and order as quickly as possible.

Colonel Omar Saranga, the spokesman for the Mozambican ministry of defence, acknowledged that communications with Palma are down, and there is no information so far about casualties or damage.

In the statement, Omar Saranga said that the attack by armed groups started at 16:15 (14:15 in Lisbon) on Wednesday when terrorists attacked the town of Palma from three directions: Pundanhar – Manguna crossroads, Nhica do Rovuma road and the airfield”.

The defence ministry called on the population to remain vigilant and ‘serene’ while looking for safety, asking for collaboration with the authorities by denouncing the terrorists and armed men.

Several sources told Lusa on Wednesday that the population of Palma was leaving and taking refuge in the woods. The ministry of defence also confirmed this.

According to witnesses, workers of different nationalities linked to projects in the Palma region, where gas projects in northern Mozambique are being built, fled along with the population after the attack by armed groups on the district headquarters, according to witnesses.

The town is used as a base for several companies and personnel due to the investments underway there.

Until now, Palma had been spared from the three and a half years of armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado, which is causing a humanitarian crisis with almost 700,000 displaced people and over 2,000 deaths.

Source: Lusa