Africa-Press – Mozambique. The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, yesterday called on the Mozambican community in the United Republic of Tanzania to be vigilant against terrorist groups operating in Cabo Delgado.
The head of state was speaking on Wednesday in Dar-es-Salaam to Mozambicans residing in Tanzania on the first day of his visit to the neighbouring country, where he is today participating in commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the sister nation’s independence.
Nyusi mentioned various targets of terrorist attacks and highlighted failed attempts, as a way of illustrating the work carried out by the Defence Forces in the northern operational theatre.
“They had already taken Mocímboa da Praia, and tried to enter Palma, but they couldn’t. They repeatedly attacked the districts of Muidumbe and Quissanga. They tried to enter Mueda and Macomia many times, but they couldn’t, because they were repelled,” he said.
According to President Nyusi, the attacks that started in 2017 have left more than 1,000 dead and drove 800,000 to seek safety in the southern districts of Cabo Delgado, such as Metuge, Chiúre, Montepuez and Balama, while others headed for Nampula, Niassa and Zambézia provinces.
“Some tried to flee to here (Tanzania), but without success. They were sent back,” he noted.
Nyusi said that the defence forces were in permanent combat against an enemy whose provenance is still uncertain, no one knowing for sure who they are.
“Most of those who were captured are young people recruited in Mocímboa da Praia, Palma and Quissanga, and in other provinces of Mozambique,” the president said, adding that their number contains Tanzanian nationals, Rwandans, Kenyans, Congolese, Ugandans and even Asians.
He spoke about the areas recovered by the Defence and Security Forces – with the support of SADC and Rwandan forces, stating that in these areas the population is returning to their zones of origin despite not having been commanded to do so.
Responding to the desire of Mozambicans residing in Tanzania to have a mission there issuing civil documents, Nyusi cited security concerns.
He urged caution, warning that some might claim to be Mozambicans when they are actually individuals who intend to commit atrocities. Nonetheless, Nyusi assured those present that the safest possibility for solving the problem [on issuing civil documents] would be analysed.
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