National authorities announced on Sunday, May 25, that there are “clear signs” that the armed groups responsible for recent attacks in the Niassa Special Reserve (REN), in northern Mozambique, are in retreat and leaving the region. Despite this, the situation in the province remains “challenging,” according to Lusa news agency.
“The environment is still challenging, but we have clear indications that the insurgents are moving out of the reserve. This scenario brings hope and opens the way to think about the future of the area after this period of tension,”
said Pejulo Calenga, Director-General of the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).
The April attacks in the REN, attributed to alleged insurgents linked to ISIS, resulted in two deaths and two missing persons, according to official sources. However, the terrorist group’s propaganda channels claimed three fatalities.
Negative Impact on Conservation and Tourism
Calenga explained that during the clashes, there were casualties among enforcement and defense forces, though he did not provide specific numbers. The instability also halted tourism activities in the reserve, which are considered vital for environmental conservation in the area.
“This situation negatively affected the image of the Reserve and interrupted tourism activity, which is vital for conservation sustainability,”
Calenga added.
He noted that daily monitoring is being carried out to stabilize the area as soon as possible and allow for the resumption of economic and environmental activities.
President Chapo: Terrorists Have Withdrawn
Meanwhile, President Daniel Chapo stated on Friday, May 23, that terrorists operating in the REN have been driven out thanks to the efforts of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS).
“Our brothers are on the ground pushing out the terrorists in that region (…) our forces remain in pursuit,”
Chapo said during the closing ceremony of a special operations course in Nampula province.
The most recent incident occurred on April 29, when armed men invaded the Mariri sport hunting camp. The area spans eight districts and borders Cabo Delgado province, the epicenter of the country’s armed insurgency since 2017.
This attack followed another on April 24, also within REN boundaries, raising concerns about the expansion of terrorist activity into previously secure areas.
Source: Diário Económico
