Cristóvão Chume, Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, has assured that the situation in Niassa is “stable” and that authorities “remain vigilant to any movements that may disrupt the situation.” Speaking on Monday in Maputo, the minister said that security conditions in the Niassa Special Reserve (REN), in the north of the country, are “stable” following armed attacks that left at least two people dead.
“It is stable, operators are returning to their activities, but we remain alert to any kind of movement that may disturb the situation in Niassa,” said Cristóvão Chume, responding to journalists’ questions about the REN, on the sidelines of a seminar marking 50 years of Mozambique’s Constitution. Chume highlighted the Government’s efforts to ensure security and the normal functioning of the reserve, following attacks in April and May by alleged terrorist groups, which have been active since 2017 in the neighbouring province of Cabo Delgado. Initial reports indicated at least two deaths and two missing persons among forest rangers. However, the Islamic State later claimed, through its propaganda channels, that three people had died in the attack in that province.
Mozambican authorities stated at the end of May that there were “clear indications” that the armed groups responsible for the attacks in the Niassa Special Reserve were fleeing, although they acknowledged that a “challenging environment” persists in the province. “We are still facing a challenging environment, but we have clear signs that the insurgents are moving out of the reserve. This scenario brings a sign of hope and opens space to reflect on the future of the area after this period of tension,” said Pejul Calenga, Director-General of the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).
According to the ANAC official, the attacks resulted in deaths “both among inspection personnel and the Defence and Security Forces,” though he did not provide specific figures.
Regarding the situation in Cabo Delgado province, the Defence Minister confirmed that there had been recent attacks, but that security had since been restored.
“Anyone following the developments in Cabo Delgado in recent times has seen the improved security situation—not only due to the strength of the Armed and Defence Forces of Mozambique (…) Overall, the situation remains stable, but we are closely monitoring the need to further improve security,” said the Defence Minister, highlighting the role of the local force in combating the alleged rebels. “The Local Force continues to operate (…) and recently engaged with the enemy, achieving good results from the encounter, which shows that the Local Force continues to play a key role in supporting the Defence and Security Forces,” Cristóvão Chume added.
The Mariri sport hunting camp, located in Niassa and covering eight districts—including parts of the neighbouring Cabo Delgado province—was invaded by armed men on the afternoon of April 29, according to local reports. This was the second reported instance of alleged terrorist activity in the REN, with the first incident occurring on April 24. Further incursions took place in May.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo later acknowledged that the alleged terrorists who operated in the reserve had been confronted by the armed forces and had since “disappeared” from the region.
In 2024 alone, at least 349 people have died in attacks by Islamic extremist groups in the province, marking a 36% increase compared to the previous year, according to recent data from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, an academic institution under the U.S. Department of Defense that monitors conflicts across Africa.
Source: Lusa
