Soldiers accused of killing three civilians in Cabo Delgado

Maputo, 16 Jan (AIM) – Members of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), based in Mucojo administrative post, Macomia district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, are accused of killing three civilians, according to a report in the independent newssheet “Carta de Moçambique.”

According to local sources, cited by the newssheet, the first victim, from the village of Nacutuco, was intercepted on Tuesday by soldiers on his way to Mucojo, where he was to receive a sack of dried cassava.

“Some members of the local authority explained to the soldiers that the person they had captured was not an enemy. He was going to take dried cassava for consumption, but it was too late, the military had already killed him”, said Adala Faque, one of the sources.

The second victim was a fisherman who, when passing close to the barracks on his way to the beach, was captured and then killed by the soldiers stationed in Mucojo. The FADM barracks are next to the path used by residents of Rueia village to access the beach.

The third victim, also a fisherman from the village of Nambija 2, was killed by the military, accused of being a member of the terrorist group operating in the area.

“People went looking for the person and unfortunately he had already been shot dead”, said another resident, Saide Pira.

The deterioration in relations between the population and the members of the FADM stationed in Mucojo comes at a time when the terrorists are trying to gain the trust of the residents, especially in establishing commercial exchanges.

On the other hand, the accusation emerges at a moment when the self-styled “Islamic State” terrorist group, claimed responsibility for three attacks that occurred recently in the districts of Mocímboa da Praia and Macomia.

(AIM)

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