No Tanzanian soldier killed by insurgents in Mozambique

By Our Correspondent, MTWARA Tanzania

Regional Commissioner for Mtwara region in Tanzania, Gelasius Byakanwa has denied recent reports on social media claiming that several Tanzanian soldiers and civilians had been killed in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique by insurgents.

In May this year, Tanzania deployed additional troops at the Mozambique border to boost security amid increased insurgent activity in Cabo Delgado province. In the previous month, insurgent activity reportedly killed at least 50 people in Muidumbe district with the United Nations recording at least 28 attacks and over 400 people killed in the region since the beginning of the year.  

It has been reported on social media that a number of Tanzania army officers were killed by insurgents in the border area, the report that Byakanwa denies vehemently.

"48 killed and relatives are aware and informed! I know 2 families who lost their relatives" One twitter post read.

"As I speak now, there is no military officer or any civilian from Tanzania who has been killed on the Tanzanian border with Mozambique," Byakanwa said.

The Commissioner said that Tanzania's border with Mozambique is secure even as attacks continue in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Speaking at a news conference, Byakanwa said that the government has beefed up security through several major security operations in all the areas.

In August 12, Tanzanian military officials ordered civilian living in forest on the border with Mozambique to vacate ahead of major security operations aimed at dislodging Islamist militants from the area.

"Our security organs are very alert and well organized to ensure Tanzania's border with the neighbouring country is safe," he stressed.

The RC explained that security officers along the border were strictly monitoring all travellers entering the country from Mozambique, urging Tanzanians living at the border to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their respective areas for security purposes.

 "I call upon citizens, especially those located near Ruvuma River to give us information about people entering the country illegally and people who endanger public security," he said.

The Commissioner who is the chairperson of regional security committee stressed the need for Tanzanians travelling to Mozambique to ensure they travel through official routes and carry passports and other travelling documents for safety purposes.

He advised Tanzanians travelling to Mozambique to use Kilambo and Mtambaswala bridges, and that people in border communities should adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and the central government.