With violence by armed groups spreading beyond Mozambique’s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado into neighboring Niassa province, President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday cautioned against panic. Attacks in Niassa, the province directly to Cabo Delgado’s west, have been reported since at least mid-November, according to ACLED. 'The conflict is not over'Mozambican authorities have been closemouthed “as the insurgency began to launch attacks in Niassa province” last month, according to Sam Ratner, an ACLED senior researcher focused on Mozambique. The insurgency is connected to the Islamic State, but “the nature of that connection is a little bit unclear,” said Ratner, of ACLED. I think that what the region should do is mobilize more funds to maintain its mission in Mozambique.”In Ratner’s view, “the most pressing issue” in Cabo Delgado is a food shortage, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable and desperate.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 18, 2021 10:00 UTC