Mozambicans in Tanzania asked to be vigilant against terrorists

By Carol Banze, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi, yesterday called on the Mozambican community residing in the United Republic of Tanzania to be vigilant against terrorist groups operating in the districts of Cabo Delgado province.

He was speaking on Wednesday in Dar-es-Salaam, at a meeting with Mozambicans residing in that neighbouring country, on the first day of his visit to Tanzania, where he is expected to participate in the commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the independence of the sister nation of Mozambique.

Nyusi mentioned different points that were targets of terrorist attacks and highlighted the failed attempts, as a way of illustrating the work carried out by the Defence Forces in the northern operational theatre.

“They had already taken Mocímboa da Praia, tried to enter Palma, but they couldn’t. They repeatedly attacked the districts of Muidumbe and Quissanga. They tried to enter Mueda and Macomia many times, but they couldn’t because they were repelled”, he said.

According to the President, the attacks that started in 2017 have already left more than 1,000 people dead and 800,000 displaced who sought safety in the southern districts of Cabo Delgado, such as Metuge, Chiúre, Montepuez, Balama while other displaced persons headed for the provinces of Nampula, Niassa and Zambézia .

“Some tried to flee to here (Tanzania), but without success. They were sent back,” he noted.

Nyusi stated that the defence forces are in permanent combat, against the enemy whose provenance still raises doubts, as no one knows who they are.

“The great part of those who were captured are young people recruited in Mocímboa da Praia, Palma and Quissanga and in other provinces of Mozambique”, said the President of the Republic, adding that among the terrorists there are Tanzanian nationals, and often Rwandans, Kenyans, Congolese, Ugandan and even Asians”, he enumerated.

He spoke about the areas recovered by the Defence and Security Forces with the support of SADC and Rwandan forces, stating that in these areas the population is returning to their zones of origin despite not having been given the command to return.

Responding to a concern presented by Mozambicans residing in Tanzania, about the need to have a post for issuing civil documents, Nyusi raised security issues.

He urged caution, warning that some might say they are Mozambicans when they are individuals who intend to commit atrocities. Still, Nyusi guaranteed that the safest possibility for solving the problem will be analysed.