Following five days of fierce clashes between Islamic insurgents and Mozambican security forces, the major port of Mocimboa da Praia has been captured, as extremists gain influence in the region.
The status of Islamic extremism in Mozambique has been growing since 2017, with over 1000 deaths, and more than 250,000 people displaced. In attacks affiliated with Islamic State, the group’s media sites have been used to circulate images of dead soldiers, alongside pictures of weapons seized from the armed forces.
Whilst the nation’s government fights the Coronavirus, the disease of terrorism gains traction. The state military response has been criticised as “inadequate”, and appears in stark contrast to the mass organisation and opportunism of the insurgent movements.
The terrorists, otherwise known as al-Shabab, have been capitalising on years of corruption, unemployment, and poor infrastructure to lead recruitment drives in Northern Mozambique.
The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, visited the provincial capital of Pemba last week, insisting that the military is now in control of the port. However, the army is said to have retreated after running out of ammunition. Without electricity, phone-lines, or functioning roads, getting information in and out of the region is increasingly difficult.
Written By Madeleine Anderson
Artwork By Izzy Johns
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