Security
- In Mozambique the threat from the Islamic State Mozambique (ISM) in the northern province of Cabo Delgado remains very high as the militants continue to perpetrate violence against civilians, militias allied to the government as well as the allied forces active in the region.
- ISM insurgents tried to win hearts and minds in Cabo Delgado by circulating a letter that appeared to be reassuring the residents that the terrorists meant no harm to the civilians. The group has been known to conduct vicious attacks that include beheadings and indiscriminate attacks but recently they have been appearing to adopt diplomacy and especially towards the Muslim population. However, they have also sternly warned the Christians to either pay taxes or better yet convert to Islam. This is not the first attempt by the militants to attempt to present itself as an entity seeking to buy supplies without harming the civilians.
- While the ISM insurgency seeks to win over the hearts and minds of the civilian population in CD, the terror organization has also been attacking the security forces in ambushes and weapon hauls. Usually, the group attacks the security forces to restock on their weapons as in preparation for bigger attacks in the future.
- Attacks on Mozambican trucks in South Africa has been causing fear causing truckers to use Eswatini [formerly Swaziland] as an alternative route to reach Durban, but it is not an efficient route, it is much more expensive. The attacks on Mozambican vehicles in South Africa could lead to price increases sing as Mozambique is quite heavily reliant in South Africa for food products.
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) reiterated the call on Member States to urgently respond to the organization’s requests to strengthen the operational capacity of its military mission deployed in Mozambique. The SAMIM Force has been deployed to Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado which has been experiencing insecurity orchestrated by ISM since 2017. The troops alongside their Rwandan counterparts have launched operations in the various districts in attempts to restore security and defeat the ISM terrorists.
- China has reportedly reached out to Mozambique about establishing a naval base in Beira, which would allow China to conduct trade with Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to media report, China is also looking into establishing a military base in Mozambique’s Maputo Province’s Katembe area.
- Kenya assured of the county’s commitment to fully supporting Mozambique in the war against terrorism. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua revealed Kenya’s unwavering support to Mozambique’s effort to fight against terror after holding a meeting with Jeronimo Chivavi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mozambique to Kenya.
Economic Roundup
- TotalEnergies is “not in a hurry” to restart operations in its LNG project in Mozambique, and will only do so if costs have not increased and after an independent assessment of the humanitarian situation in the region. Additionally, a London court ruled that the UK’s $1.15bn investment in the Mozambique LNG project, operated by TotalEnergies, is lawful, rejecting a challenge brought by environmental group Friends of the Earth.
- The Indian-owned Gemrock ruby mine in Cabo Delgado province is aiming to restart operations this month following an insurgent attack last October that destroyed much of the site’s equipment and infrastructure. The resumption of works is after the government provided security from the military and the police to guard Gemrock and neighbouring mines in Ancuabe and Montepuez districts.
- The heavy rains and flooding that has befallen the Greater Maputo have caused damage to passenger transport operators in the metropolitan area. The floods have affected over 30,000 people and over millions in infrastructure damages.
- A study by the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), the largest employers’ association in the country, considers that the high tax burden threatens to annul company profits, affect business viability and competitiveness. The report revealed that the current tax burden on Mozambican companies is 36.1% and is above that which exists in most developing countries and threatens to wipe out the profits from companies.
- The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, has appealed to the Central Bank to conduct a reflection with the commercial banks in order to assess the conditions for a rapid, large-scale resumption of their financial operations in the north of Cabo Delgado. Nyusi has maintained that the resumption of services such as the banking facilities will encourage the return of the displaced population to their areas of origin, currently estimated at more than 200 thousand people.
