Mozambique: Russia open to help fight Cabo Delgado insurgents – ambassador

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Mozambique: Russia open to help fight Cabo Delgado insurgents – ambassador

8:08 CAT | 05 Feb 2024

File photo: Domingo

The Russian ambassador to Mozambique has expressed Moscow’s willingness to support Maputo in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, in the event of a request, pointing out, however, that the support the country is receiving is sufficient.

“If Mozambique asks for something, we are there, but the situation is not so dramatic now,” said Alexandre Surikov, reacting to a question put by Lusa, on the sidelines of an event at the Ponta Vermelha Palace, the official residence of the President of Mozambique, in Maputo on Friday.

For the Russian ambassador, the operational situation of the Mozambican forces, supported by Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is showing progress and there doesn’t seem to be a need for more players on the ground, although Maputo knows that “it can always count on Russia”.

“We have many years’ experience of co-operation in the military sphere with Mozambique, we have helped this country build its armed forces and they know perfectly well about our capabilities. If they need any specific help, we’re always there for them,” emphasised Surikov.

Cabo Delgado province has been facing an armed insurgency for six years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State, which has led to a military response since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and SADC, liberating districts near gas projects.

In recent days, new attacks and movements have been recorded after a period of relative stability in Cabo Delgado, episodes that local authorities believe are linked to the persecution imposed by the Defence and Security Forces in the districts of Macomia, Quissanga and Muidumbe, among the most affected.

The Mozambican president, Filipe Nyusi, admitted on Friday that the “modus operandi” of the extremist groups that have been carrying out attacks in Cabo Delgado is requiring heavy security measures in recent days, in a speech given during the ceremony to greet the diplomatic corps accredited to the country on the occasion of the New Year 2024, at the Ponta Vermelha Palace in Maputo.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has already displaced one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and caused around 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

Source: Lusa