Mozambique/Attacks: US embassy warns against travelling to Cabo Delgado

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Mozambique/Attacks: US embassy warns against travelling to Cabo Delgado

6:13 CAT | 28 Nov 2019

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

The U.S. embassy in Mozambique has issued a new warning advising against visits to the northern province of Cabo Delgado, a region affected by a wave of armed violence that has killed 300 people for the past two years.

“Avoid the area” is the measure that tops the list of precautions to take, according to the security alert published on Wednesday (November 27).

“Due to threats of attack, kidnapping for ransom, and other forms of violent assault, the U.S. Embassy reiterates its strong caution to U.S. citizens considering travel to Cabo Delgado Province, specifically the districts of Mocimboa da Praia, Nangade, Palma, Macomia, Ibo, Ancuabe, and Quissanga,” the warning reads.

The U.S. diplomatic mission has issued regular alerts advising against travel to the Cabo Delgado region due to armed violence, the last of which in March, but highlighting different districts on which special attention is focused.

The region is the scene of one of the largest investments by U.S. companies in Africa, due to the construction of megaprojects for natural gas exploration, in which the oil company Exxon Mobil leads one of the consortiums.

The latest attack in Cabo Delgado took place on Wednesday (November 27) in the village of Tingina, in Nangade district, where vehicles, merchandise and homes were destroyed, residents told Lusa.

The Cabo Delgado region has been facing attacks from armed groups since October 2017, after years of latent conflict between Muslims of different origins, with violence being born in radicalised mosques.

At least 300 people have died, according to official and population figures, and 60,000 residents have been affected, many forced to move to other places in search of security, according to the United Nations.

Source: Lusa