Foreigners accused of creating instability in Montepuez

Maputo, 7 Apr (AIM) – Genuína Nangundo, the administrator of Montepuez district, in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, has accused foreign citizens of recruiting young people to create instability in order to facilitate illegal gold mining.

According to the administrator, cited by Radio Moçambique, these young people are being recruited in the administrative post of Nairoto.

She claimed that the foreign citizens in question also resort to disinformation on how cholera is spread to incite disorder in the communities. She did not specify the nationality of the supposed foreigners.

According to Nangundo, at least two individuals, considered ringleaders, were arrested following acts of vandalism that culminated in the destruction of the headquarters and residence of the chief of Macololo locality a few days ago.

“The foreigners give money to the young people, they recruit them to work in the mines. They end up acting as bosses, while our young people enter the mines, extract the gold and deliver it to them,” she said. No evidence has been offered for these claims.

Nangundo added that the dissemination of disinformation about cholera was used as a pretext to destabilize local governance.

“A strange environment was created. There was disinformation about cholera as a strategy to disorganize the local government and allow them to continue their illegal activities,” she said.

Due to the insecurity, the head of the Nairoto administrative post and the head of the Macololo locality temporarily abandoned their areas of jurisdiction for fear that their lives were in danger.

The administrator urged young people not to be manipulated by financial promises, warning that such practices jeopardize sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Young people must be vigilant. They cannot compromise the future of their motherland for immediate gains,” she added.
(AIM)
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