
Maputo, 25 Sep (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has claimed that the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces (FDS) have control of the security conditions in the northern Province of Cabo Delgado, where Islamist terrorists have been carrying out extreme violence since 2017.
According to the President, who was speaking on Wednesday, in Maputo, at ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the launch of the armed national liberation struggle against Portuguese colonial rule on 25 September 1964, the authorities have the control of the situation, although “we know that some terrorists are still confined in the Mucojo Administrative Post, in Macomia district. Our soldiers are making an effort to fully recover the territory.”
“Today, the situation is relatively stabilized and the population has returned significantly to their areas of origin. We are restoring the functioning of the institutions and work is currently underway to rebuild the destroyed infrastructures”, he said.
The President said that the FDS, in cooperation with Rwandan Forces, have been working hard without making any triumphant claims “because we intend to bring victory definitely. We also can say that the result of operations carried out on the battlefield is positive.”
Nyusi lamented that “some of our fellow countrymen continue to be manipulated by terrorists to head an anti-development movement against the prosperity of the Mozambican nation.”
He mentioned named several leaders of the terrorist groups, claiming that they will be captured “since the forces are working in Mucojo Administrative Post to take full control of the situation. We hope to receive good news in a few hours.”
“The terrorists are now headed by Abu Zainabo (known as Ulanga), a Tanzanian citizen who considers himself a spiritual leader. He is supported by Sarid Suleimane Arune, Abu Munir (known as Quadrado), Sileimane Nguvo Toto, Mahamudo Ibrahim Dade, and Rafael Mazubo. Some of these names are pseudonyms.”
Nyusi said he was concerned at the financial and military support the terrorists enjoy. “There is now a consensus that they have financial resources from the Islamist State network. They also extort funds from their hostages and businesses”, he said.
The President also said that in recent weeks 182 people have abandoned the terrorist acts “and surrendered to the authorities. They are already reintegrated into their communities and families, without discrimination.”
(AIM)
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