The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, stated that the resumption of the Mozambique LNG project, led by TotalEnergies, is a clear indicator of the stabilization of Cabo Delgado province, which has been the scene of terrorist attacks over the past eight years. The statement was made during the official ceremony celebrating Mozambican Heroes’ Day, held on Tuesday, February 3.
“Terrorism remains our greatest challenge at this moment, but while we fight terrorism, we do not stop the development of Cabo Delgado province and our beautiful Mozambique,” said the Head of State, emphasizing the role of the Defense and Security Forces, as well as the local force and foreign contingents from Rwanda and Tanzania operating in the country’s northern region, according to Lusa news agency.
Daniel Chapo highlighted the efforts that have allowed populations to return to their areas of origin and the reactivation of major economic projects.
“Our Defense and Security Forces, with the support of the Rwandan forces and the active participation of the local force, remain determined in this fight, allowing the return of populations to their areas of origin and the resumption of gas projects in the Rovuma Basin,” he stressed.
On January 29, Daniel Chapo and TotalEnergies’ President, Patrick Pouyanné, visited the Afungi complex in Cabo Delgado to officially mark the resumption of the Mozambique LNG project, which had been suspended for nearly five years after the French oil company declared ‘force majeure’ due to the intensification of extremist attacks. With an estimated investment of $20 billion, the megaproject is considered strategic for the national economy and could stimulate other productive sectors.
“The resumption of this project signals the security that exists in Cabo Delgado and also enables the development of other industrial projects,” Daniel Chapo said, assuring that the Government will continue investing in the reconstruction of infrastructure affected by the conflict.
“We continue to carry out reconstruction work on destroyed infrastructure to ensure the normal functioning of public and private institutions, including the restoration of basic services such as electricity, water, health, access roads, among other infrastructure, to create better living conditions for the Mozambican people.”
Since 2017, attacks by groups associated with the Islamic State have caused over 6,400 deaths, according to data from ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project). In the past two weeks alone, six new violent incidents were recorded in Cabo Delgado, with at least three fatalities amid ongoing clashes with Rwandan forces deployed in the region.
Source: Diário Económico
