Armed groups attack Mozambique town closest to gas
projects – sources
By Reuters• 24 March 2021
JOHANNESBURG, March 24 (Reuters) - Armed groups on
Wednesday attacked the northern Mozambique town closest to gas
projects worth some $60 billion, two sources told Reuters, striking ever closer
to developments that have already stalled due to security problems.
The attack on the town of Palma, less than 25 km (15
miles)by road from a construction camp for the gas developments led by oil
majors like Total, happened on the same day that the French company announced
it would gradually resume works at the site after suspending them due to nearby
attacks.
Mozambique‘s
northern-most province of Cabo Delgado has since 2017 been home to a festering
Islamist insurgency on the projects’ doorstep, which has escalated in the past
year as insurgents, linked to Islamic State, began taking on the army to seize
entire towns.
Portuguese state news agency Lusa first reported the attack, which
was confirmed to Reuters by a security source and another source familiar with
the matter.
Reuters was not able immediately to verify the reports with
officials, as calls to the spokespeople for the defence and security forces as
well as police were not answered. A local Total spokesperson could not
immediately be reached.
Lusa, citing sources, said automatic gunfire could be heard in
Palma and people were fleeing. It said later communication was cut off.
Initially known for beheadings, the insurgent group has in the
past year managed to take control of entire towns, including one, Mocimboa da
Praia, used as a transit point for goods and workers related to the gas
developments.
Palma’s proximity to the projects means it has even more strategic
importance, and is seen as a base for both the operations and workforce of many
companies that have moved into the region in hopes of cashing in on one of the
biggest gas finds in a decade
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