“Days of despair and agony” lie ahead for terrorists

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AfricaPress-mozambique: Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi declared on Friday that the government will do all in its power to ensure that “the coming days will be ones of despair and agony” for the terrorists destabilising parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Speaking after laying a wreath at the Monument to the Mozambican Heroes in Maputo, on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of Mozambican independence on 25 June 1975, Nyusi pledged that “our valiant defence and security forces will step up their operational actions to hunt down these criminals”.

Although the terrorists in Cabo Delgado have never presented themselves publicly, and have never explained why they murder and behead members of the public, “they will be confronted in a brave and fearless manner”, he added.

The terrorists they have never made any attempt to justify their actions, but “It is our conviction that they want to generate fear among Mozambican, so that later they can take control of our riches”, Nyusi declared.

But since the jihadists fired their first shot, in October 2017, in Mocimboa da Praia district, “our forces have placed themselves in the line of fire and have been undaunted in facing the enemy of the people”, he added.

He promised that, in the fight against terrorism, the government will seek the necessary support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and from other friendly countries, “but without pawning Mozambique’s sovereignty as a nation”.

He recalled that the SADC leaders had met in Maputo on Wednesday “and took a position of full support for Mozambique. Naturally, it will be Mozambicans who are on the front line, but it is also clear that the country has never refused any assistance, and some countries are already giving their support”.

Nyusi urged all Mozambicans to unite in the struggle against terrorism. “Only united will we win”, he said. “That’s how it was in the past, and that’s how it should be in the presence. No force is capable of defeating a united people”.

The secret of Mozambican victories always lay in national unity. “Today, once again the country is calling on us”, he declared, “Each one of us, wherever we may be, should be vigilant, and should be prepared to lay down our lives in defence of our nation”.

As for the peace agreement he had signed in August 2019 with Ossufo Momade, the leader of the main opposition party, Renamo, Nyusi said that the demobilization of the Renamo militia, and the reintegration of its members into Mozambican society, is going ahead without any upsets.

However, a group of people calling themselves the “Renamo Military Junta” are still causing demobilisation in parts of central Mozambique. Nyusi called on the Junta’s leader, Mariano Nhongo, to abandon his war, and join the Renamo demobilisation.

As the 46th anniversary of independence is celebrated, the President concluded, the urgent challenges are to put an end to the foci of violence in the north and centre of the country, and to step up efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

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