Watch: Ministers speak about attacks in Cabo Delgado – Mozambique

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Watch: Ministers speak about attacks in Cabo Delgado – Mozambique

12:52 CAT | 05 Feb 2020

Minister of Defence Jaime Neto. [Photo: Miramar]

Mozambique’s Defence and Security Forces have confirmed casualties arising from attacks by insurgents in the province of Cabo Delgado, also speaking of insurgents detained as a result of their operations.

In the midst of Day of Mozambican Heroes celebrations, the country is experiencing instability, with attacks by insurgents in Cabo Delgado and by the Renamo military junta in the centre of the country.

In a recent attack in Cabo Delgado, insurgents reportedly killed several people and seized weapons from the Defence and Security Forces.

Mozambican Defence Minister Jaime Neto confirmed the casualties, but said that every effort to counter the insurgency was being made.

“It is intense work. It is natural that there will be setbacks, but the Defence and Security Forces are committed, they are working,” the Defence Minister said. “Now, you also have to realise that the enemy is doing all the propaganda, right? To show that they’re doing something. But on our side, we are committed, day and night. There are forces on the ground and they are working.”

Minister Jaime Neto also highlighted the arrest of insurgents.

“There are some arrests that are being done and we are investigating those detained to look into what the origin [of the attacks] is, because what is happening right now is that those who are disturbing the order and security in Cabo Delgado have no face, so it gets difficult. But we are determined and we will hold them accountable. We continue investigating. We are looking for the main instigators,” said the Minister of Defence.

Interior Minister Amade Miquidade said that it was not yet time to ask for international help in countering the attacks.

“Do you think the Mozambican capacity has finished? We are going to work. We are working. The enemies of this homeland will be defeated. The strategies will be defined at the level of the Defence and Security Forces. You know that, where there is war, there are casualties on all sides,” Minister Miquimade said.

Both ministers said that the conflict in the centre of the country would be resolved shortly.

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