Distrito de Mocímboa da Praia
Maputo, 23 Jun (AIM) – Residents of Mocimboa da Praia village, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, accuse the defence and security forces of committing assaults and arbitrary detentions after an alleged curfew was decreed.
According to local sources, cited by the independent newsheet “Carta de Moçambique”, the new curfew was not communicated to the population, but it has been in effect for the past few days in Mocímboa da Praia village, “which means that for more than a week, the movement of people in that town has been restricted from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM.”
The residents reported moments of terror following the reintroduction of the curfew. The assaults are carried out by defense and security forces and by the peasant militia, usually referred to as “local forces.”
“When you cross paths with them, even explaining that you live nearby, you are detained and sometimes assaulted with sticks”, said Adala Momade, one of the alleged victims of aggression.
According to sources, beyond the violation of human rights, the situation is depriving people of leisure and the ability to carry out commercial activities, “especially at a moment when football fans gather to watch matches together.”
The fishermen also claim that the established curfew harms their activities. This is not the first time a curfew has been imposed in the town of Mocímboa da Praia as part of efforts to combat Islamist terrorism that has been plaguing districts of Cabo Delgado since 2017.
However, instead of ensuring the safety of citizens, the defense and security forces have been accused of systemic human rights violations.
Am/
