Mozambican authorities, Rwanda Security Forces help internally displaced people resume normal life in Cabo Delgado

The Mozambican civil administration in port city of Mocimboa da Praia and Rwanda Security Forces on August 13 received another batch of 437 internally displaced persons from Chitunda IDPs camp who had fled their homes in 2019 following the attacks of terrorists.

Most of the local population fled and gathered in Chitunda IDP camp, in Palma district, while others dispersed to different places of the Province.

After eliminating armed extremists linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in most parts of Cabo Delgado, the northernmost province of Mozambique, Rwandan and Mozambican forces continue mop up operations against remnants of the on-the-run insurgents.

Anica Mvita a mother of five said: “My children and I, lived in hardships without basic needs in the IDPs camp but hopefully the life is going to change."

The Chief of Civil Administration, Sumaila Mussa, emphasised that the Mozambican Authorities will keep doing everything possible to avail the basic necessities for the returnees to be able to start a new life.

More than 2,630 returned to their homes in Mocimboa da Praia city and its surroundings while about 3,000 settled in Awasse village since June 2022.

Rwandan troops were deployed in Cabo Delgado, on July 9, 2021, to work with Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) in addition to SADC troops in designated sectors of responsibility. The rapid advance of the joint forces was a major blow to the insurgency. Hundreds of civilians were enabled to run away from the insurgents who were holding them captive.

After being repulsed from the regions where Rwandan troops operate from – Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, and Mueda – the insurgents ran further southwards and crossed River Messalo, a major river flowing through Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces, into Macomia district, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force's designated sector of responsibility.