Maputo – No parts of Mozambique's
troubled northernmost province are under the control of
insurgents, national police commander Bernardino Rafael said on
Wednesday.
Rafael's comments come after an increase in the frequency of
attacks in the province of Cabo Delgado, home to multibillion-dollar gas projects led by oil majors such as Total.
Security analysts say in some cases insurgents have occupied
parts of towns, villages or government buildings and hoisted a
black and white flag.
"There are no areas that can be said to be in the hands of
insurgents, what exist are areas prone to the incursions of
criminals," Rafael told reporters in the northern province of
Nampula.
He said the situation in a number of areas, including
Mocimboa da Praia – some 350km from the gas
projects – was tense.
Initially, the attacks were claimed by a group by the name
of Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama. More recently, however, Islamic State
has claimed attacks via its news agencies.