Police commander calls for maximum alert in Mocimboa da Praia

Mocimboa da Praia (Mozambique), 1 Oct (AIM) – The General Commander of the Mozambican Police Force (PRM), Bernadino Rafael, on Sunday instructed the members of the defence and security forces who are operating in the Mocimboa da Praia municipality, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, to step up security in the area to ensure that the municipal elections scheduled for 11 October can take place without any disturbances.

Mocimboa da Praia is the only one of the country’s 65 municipalities that has been severely affected by islamist terrorism. In August 2020, terrorists who claim allegiance to the self-styled “Islamic State” occupied the town, including its port and airport, and destroyed much of the infrastructure.

A year later, Mozambican and Rwandan forces recaptured the town, and the displaced population began gradually returning to their homes.

“We must be on top alert so that there are no surprises in Mocimboa da Praia town”, Rafael warned. “Any shots, or any failing in our shots, could precipitate the flight of the population”.

Speaking at the Mocimboa da Praia district police command, he recalled that the town had once been “the epicenter” of terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

“So there should not be even the slightest agitation, because it might compromise the municipal elections in the town”, Rafael stressed. “We must be in readiness so that we don’t stir up the public, and so that there are elections in this municipality without any alteration in public order and security”,

Rafael demanded that the defence forces ensure “that not a single terrorist infiltrates to create panic among the population, and that they do not return to occupy any part of Mozambican territory”.

“The terrorists must not have any zone as their caliphate, as an area they control. This must not happen”, declared Rafael.

The jihadists had once controlled districts and administrative posts, Rafael recalled, “but you were able to liberate those areas. You expelled the terrorists”.

Rafael stressed that the terrorists are now confined to a small area. “Nowadays, they are in a small area of bush which, with your actions, can be gradually controlled”, he said.

He paid homage to those members of the defence and security forces who lost their lives in the first terrorist attacks against Cabo Delgado in October 2017.

“We must avenge the blood shed by our colleagues”, said Rafael. “We cannot abandon them”.

(AIM)

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