Secretary of state calls for robust vigilance
The Secretary of State for the northern Mozambican province of Nampula, Mety Gondola, has challenged the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS) to step up their vigilance, following the latest terrorist attack on Tuesday that caused the death of an Italian missionary and the destruction of church property, in the district of Memba.
Gondola expressed his challenge in Nampula city on Wednesday morning, in the wake of the celebrations marking “Victory Day”, the 48th anniversary of the agreement on Mozambican independence signed by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and the Portuguese government on 7 September 1974.
“Let us be ready. We have been following, with special attention, the developments in the general security situation, particularly in Eráti and Memba districts. So, you must maintain your readiness levels to respond to what is happening. In the interaction with your commanders, they assured us that our force is in good condition and with a well-defined fighting capacity”, he said, addressing the defence forces.
In the last three days, armed attacks were confirmed in villages in Memba and the neighbouring district of Erati.
Information available so far about Tuesday’s attack says that, in addition to murdering the nun, 84 year old Maria de Coppi, of the Comboni Sisters, the raiders set fire to two places of worship, a mosque and a church, a primary school and the nuns’ residences.
Gondola argued that the collaboration of the population with the defence and security forces is crucial in the fight against terrorism.
He told the defence forces “We are making appeals to our population, because your work depends on their collaboration. For our part, we want to assure you that we will make every effort for you to have resources at your disposal. Be firm, be more ready in this phase, be on maximum alert, and be united, so that we can be in a position to devastate any sign of destabilization here in our province”.
(AIM)
