Africa-Press – Mozambique. The US government has warned its citizens about the movement of terrorist groups in the area of the Niassa Special Reserve, on the borders of Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces, suggesting that they reconsider traveling to the region.
“The U.S. government has received information that terrorists attacked villages on the edge of the Niassa Special Reserve near Nairoto, before entering the reserve and taking hostages at a private hunting lodge. Mozambican security forces are engaged. Stay alert for increased violence on the south-eastern and eastern borders of the Niassa Special Reserve. The U.S. Embassy in Mozambique continues to monitor the situation and remains committed to working with the Government of Mozambique to counter violent extremism,” reads a note addressed to US citizens in Mozambique, published on the US embassy website.
In light of the insecurity in the region, the United States suggests that travel to the Niassa Special Reserve and surrounding villages and hunting properties be reconsidered, personal security plans reviewed, local media monitored for updates on changing conditions, and advises enrolling in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
The issue at hand is the alleged incursions by armed groups on Thursday into the Niassa Ecological Reserve, an area covering 42,000 kilometres of land across eight districts that encompass Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique.
Information circulating on social media indicates that the group, still in undetermined numbers, entered a village in the reserve area, causing panic among residents.
On Friday, Mozambique’s Defence Minister acknowledged the existence of terrorist groups in the Niassa Special Reserve (REN), which borders Cabo Delgado, a region that has been facing an armed insurgency since 2017.
“We are aware. […] They are terrorists and we are after them,” said Cristóvão Chume, on the sidelines of an accreditation ceremony for defence attachés from several countries in Maputo.
In the note published on Thursday, the US Embassy said it continues to monitor the situation and reiterates its commitment to working with Mozambique to combat armed violence in the north of the country.
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