Mozambique will not degenerate into another war

Hermínio José - Maputo & Paul Samasumo – Vatican City

The Mozambican head of state, Filipe Nyusi, is blaming the terrorist insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado to what he has called, “internal and external elites.” President Nyusi made the remarks, this week, when he launched the official start of activities that will culminate into the 45th anniversary of national independence on 25 June.

“Mozambicans will not repeatedly tolerate the blackmail of cyclical warfare, driven by groups of individuals manipulated to support the ego of internal and external elites,” said the President of Mozambique without elaborating on the nature of those elites.

Deadly terrorist activities in Cabo Delgado

The President was referring to the continued terrorist attacks in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. The attacks have led to the death of over 1000 persons since 2017. United Nations estimates also say more than 200 000 people in the province have been displaced due to the ongoing terrorist activities. Trouble in Cabo Delgado started soon after the discovery of one of Africa’s largest deposits of Natural Gas in the area, three years ago.

Nyusi: We must value diversity and work together as one people

During this week’s independence launch, President Nyusi appealed for unity and the strengthening of efforts by all Mozambicans to defend the sovereignty of the nation.

“This date (Independence Day) calls to mind the need for us not to give in to the complexity of the challenges that we face. The variety of our cultural composition as a nation and the abundance of natural resources are our strength. Only if we value diversity and work together in unity, will we build a strong and prosperous country,” said the President.

President Nyusi then paid tribute to the young members of  the armed forces throughout the country, especially those who stationed in the troubled northern and central regions.

Boat with suspect terrorist recruits capsizes killing 13 persons

Right on the heels of the presidential speech comes an AFP report of Friday, about the death of 13 people on Tuesday. These, drowned when a boat loaded with 50 persons encountered bad weather, south of Pemba in the Province of Capo Delgado. 35 persons were rescued.

Mozambican police suspect that the boat was carrying recruits who were being ferried to the terrorist stronghold areas in the province of Cabo Delgado.

“Our investigation into the motives for this night trip, without notifying the maritime authorities, is still underway,” said the police spokesperson.