Maputo, 7 Mar (AIM) – Islamist terrorists on Wednesday attacked the district of Metuge, about 30 kilometres from the city of Pemba, capital of the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
According to a report in Thursday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”, the raiders concentrated their attack against the area known as “Ponto A” or “Pula”, which contains the source for Pemba’s water supply.
Details on the attack are sparse. One source cited by the paper said “We’ve just received information from community leaders and focal points that Ponto A is under attack, and the raid is tending to spread to the Nacuta community in Metuge district”.
Meanwhile, the terrorists who attacked Quirimba island in Ibo district on Saturday still appear to be in control of Quirimba. The Mozambican defence and security forces have tried to rescue some of their colleagues trapped on the island, apparently without success.
According to the newssheet “Mediafax”, at least eight policemen and members of the armed forces (FADM) have been killed on Quirimba since Saturday.
It is thought unlikely that the jihadists intend to remain in Quirimba. Instead they have been stealing food for their bases on the mainland, in the coastal bush of Macomia district.
The terrorists have run into problems because of a shortage of fuel for their boats, and because low tide has made it difficult to navigate in the shallow channel between Quirimba and the mainland.
On the district capital, Ibo island, some high ranking state officials and senior figures in NGOs fled to Pemba. Others accuse the central government of abandoning them on Ibo. They have circulated a three minute video calling for help, and saying they fear an imminent terrorist attack against Ibo.
They accuse the mayor of Ibo, Issa Tarmamade, of preventing them from leaving. They say they are hungry, because all trade in Ibo is at a standstill.
“We are workers from all sectors here on Ibo and we are indignant at the district government”, says the video. “Since last Sunday, we have been sleeping in the bush. We have nothing to eat. All the shops are closed and we are forbidden from leaving”.
They accuse Tarmamade of usurping the powers of the Ibo district administrator, and say that, as mayor of Ibo municipality, he has no power to prevent anyone from leaving and seeking safer areas.
The Ibo workers appeal for help from the provincial government and from President Filipe Nyusi. “The enemy is nearby”, says the video “and it is reported that the terrorists intend to invade Ibo. In Quirimba they are destroying the houses of state employees, and worse still, the terrorists know the names of all the state officials”.
“Please, President Nyusi, get us out of here”, concludes the video.
(AIM)
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