Maputo, 10 May (AIM) – Households who had left Odinepa administrative post, in Eráti district, in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula, as a result of islamist terror attacks, have returned to their homes.
The households in question had abandoned their homes, about two weeks ago, when the terrorists raided the villages of Mitaca, Nessiua and Manica.
According to Friday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, the households are returning thanks to re-establishment of security by Rwandan troops, who are helping the Mozambican armed forces fight terrorism.
According to one source in Erati, the return is due to the restoration of security, despite the lack of humanitarian support.
A second source said “There are no more terrorists because they’ve been killed and others have fled, so people are going back to their homes”.
Households are also returning to villages in the administrative post of Lúrio, in the Nampula coastal district of Memba, after fleeing because of the terrorist threat.
The sources explained that the town of Namapa is also under threat and in some cases residents are complaining of human rights violations.
“The town of Namapa is full of forces. You find soldiers everywhere and there are even people who are captured, threatened and then abandoned”, said this man. “In the last few days, a curfew has been introduced, which means that by 20.00m, everyone must leave the road”.
But across the provincial boundary, in Macomia district, in Cabo Delgado, residents experienced moments of panic, in the early hours of Friday, following heavy gunfire from armed men, believed to be jihadists.
According to local sources, there was crossfire and it was feared that terrorists might have taken control of Macomia town.
“We are in the bush, we’re running, there’s a war going on here. Shots are ringing out everywhere up there in Xinavane neighbourhood, and in the town. Many people are in the bush, the situation is bad”, said a source.
“Terrorists or not, what’s certain is that there’s heavy gunfire and we’re in the bush”, the source added.
The report of intensive crossfire was repeated by other residents of the village, all of them fugitives. Many people went to hide in the Nambawa region, about six kilometers from the town.
(AIM)
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