Mozambique: Terrorism forces closure of public services in Quissanga – AIM

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Mozambique: Terrorism forces closure of public services in Quissanga – AIM

11:05 CAT | 07 Feb 2024

Map shows location of Bilibiza, in Quissanga district, Cabo Delgado [Image: Google Maps]

Public services, notably health units, closed down on Monday in the small towns of Quissanga and Bilibiza in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, due to the movement nearby of islamist terrorists.

According to a report in Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Moçambique”, two groups of terrorists occupied the villages of Nacoba and Mussamero for three hours. Mussamero is six kilometres from Quissanga town, and the appearance of the jihadists here spread fear among Quissanga residents.

One health worker told “Carta de Moçambique”, that “when the information arrived, the services stopped and people began to leave. The doctor and other colleagues who had come from Pemba (the provincial capital) were obliged to return after they were informed of the presence of insurgents in Mussamero. Also no work was done in Bilibiza when they became aware of the situation”.

Another of the paper’s sources said that, while they were in Mussamero, the terrorists, although heavily armed, did not commit any acts of violence. They just asked the villagers to warn the Mozambican defence forces that the jihadists were “just passing through and did not want any confrontation”.

While the terrorists were in Nacoba and Mussamero, traffic along the Quissanga roads was interrupted, including on the road from Quissanga to Pemba. During this period boats also halted their operations.

Quissangamap.tt_ — *Quissanga district, Cabo Delgado. [Image: Google Maps]*

#Mozambique #CaboDelgado: Insurgent tactics and strategies
The use of fishermen and boats by insurgents in Cabo Delgado has been a persistent strategy. Reports since 2019 highlight their focus on fishermen due to their knowledge of coastal areas. pic.twitter.com/IgMzLahrtd

— Jasmine Opperman (@Jasminechic00) January 29, 2024