
Maputo, 11 Nov (AIM) – Residents of Macomia district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, are concerned at the movements of Islamist terrorists in the region and some of them are abandoning their villages.
According to Monday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, most of them are from the communities of Mandela, Mapate, Miangaleua, Mankangonha and Novo Cabo Delgado.
Residents of Muidumbe district, cited by the paper, say that they have been receiving several refugee households from these areas due to insecurity.
“There were many families in Muidumbe, who lived there, but ended up leaving due to the circulation of these criminals. Here, in Matambalale, we have received some of these families”, a source said.
Another resident, named Júlio Gomes, from the administrative post of Miteda, said that the security situation along the Messalo River is precarious due to the presence of terrorists.
“Last week it was Miangalewa, including Mapate and Mandela. Our big problem is the absence of security forces. We’re alone here, we don’t have patrols like before, because there’s no constant presence of military personnel”, he said.
He added that the weak presence of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) in Muidumbe district has contributed to the frequent appearances of terrorists, often in search of food.
“It’s very difficult to see Mozambican army soldiers, especially after the departure of troops from Botswana last year, who were part of the Southern African Development Community Military Mission (SAMIM). This has reduced patrols in the area, which ends up opening up space for terrorists to circulate more in Muidumbe”, he added.
(AIM)
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