Maputo, 9 Oct (AIM) – A group of Islamist terrorists on Tuesday invaded Mocímboa da Praia town, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, and even gave a lecture in a local mosque, in which they demanded the establishment of an Islamic state.
In a video that went viral on social media, a group of three jihadists, wearing the same military uniform as that of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), entered a mosque in Nabubussi neighborhood and started lecturing in the local language.
In the lecture, addressed to a dozen people, the jihadists urged those present not to follow the orders of the Mozambican government, otherwise they would be attacked in the near future. They also urged the population not to cooperate with the FADM and its allies in the Rwandan Armed Forces.
They also claimed that there are currently two governments, one Islamic-oriented and the other led by “non-believers”, referring to the official government.
“Today you see that we are not criminals, as some people have been lying to you. We are religious and children of Allah. As you can see, this flag is not Nyusi’s (a reference to former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi), it is a flag of Allah”, they said.
The concerns expressed in this speech had nothing to do with poverty or natural resources but were religious. The jihadists said they are determined to set up an Islamic state.
Sérgio Cipriano, the Mocímboa da Praia district administrator, confirmed the islamists’ incursion. But he noted that, unlike in many other jihadist incidents, they did not kill anybody, loot any property or destroy buildings.
“They entered the Nabubussi area by sea, on foot, at low tide. They entered sacred areas of the mosque where women and shoes are not allowed, but they entered wearing shoes. By the time our forces arrived, they had already left for the forests towards Ulo village”, said Cipriano, cited by the independent daily “O País.”
The group’s presence caused fear and panic among the population, but according to the administrator, “the situation has returned to normal, and services and businesses are operating normally.”
This is the third time within a month that the armed group has entered Mocímboa da Praia, a district that was outside of state control from 2020 to 2021 and is currently under heavy security measures guaranteed by Mozambican and Rwandan forces.
The mainstream moslem organisation, the Islamic Council of Mozambique (Cislamo), quickly distanced itself from the jihadists. Cislamo Nampula provincial delegate, Sheikh Abdulmagid Antonio, cited by “O Pais”, said the video proved that the insurgents did not respect the Islamic religion, since it showed them entering a mosque armed and wearing shoes.
“When we are in a sacred place, we must show respect”, said Antonio. “Removing one’s shoes shows respect and humility”.
The group filmed in Mocimboa da Praia, he added, does not represent Mozambican moslems. “They should be held responsible as individuals, and not associated with Islam”, Antonio declared.
(AIM)
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