UN calls for negotiations to end the conflict in Mozambique

NewsUN calls for negotiations to end the conflict in MozambiqueA woman and her child send against the wall at a displacement centre in Beira, Mozambique, Friday, March 22, 2019.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reservedBy Rédaction AfricanewsLast updated: 15/08 - 08:21World NewsA military victory over jihadist insurgents in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province does not appear imminent, according to a report by a United Nations special rapporteur released Friday. Mozambique is fighting an insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado linked to the Islamic State group. The conflict has seen attacks on civilians and security forces, including beheadings, and has displaced thousands of people."The frequency, severity and scale of attacks against civilians have increased over the past year," said UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul, after visiting Mozambique from August 4 to 14 to assess the consistency of its counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices. UN experts are independent figures mandated by the Human Rights Council to report their findings and do not speak for the United Nations itself. Cabo Delgado has enormous reserves of gas, which have attracted the attention of energy giants including France's TotalEnergies, Italy's ENI and US company ExxonMobil. Rwandan forces have been deployed to the area since 2021 to assist Mozambique's army in an operation backed by the EU. But despite Rwanda's support, the report said the current military posture is "offensive defence" rather than actively pursuing the non-state armed group. "While this dampens hostilities, it risks enabling the group to rebuild," it said. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 6,632 people including 2,772 civilians since 2017 to mid-2026, the report said, citing figures from Acled, an organisation that compiles data on conflict zones. About 1.5 million people have been displaced, it said, and 1,7 million required humanitarian assistance in 2026. Other impacts have included loss of land, livelihoods, property, access to services and family separation.You may also like01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 18 minutes ago00:56Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago01:11Iran strikes US bases in Jordan in response to US attack, state TV reports 3 hours agoShareMore About World News counterterrorism UNSCYou may also like01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 18 minutes ago00:56Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago01:11Iran strikes US bases in Jordan in response to US attack, state TV reports 3 hours agoOn the same subjectNEWS01:47Libya's rival administrations agree to hold elections within 2 years 8 hours agoNEWS00:58Near-total lunar eclipse as moon passes through Earth's shadow 28/08 - 11:55NEWS01:23Police in Ceuta clash with anti-migrant protesters as tensions rise 28/08 - 08:45NEWS01:33SA court postpones extradition hearing of UK man charged with murdering family 28/08 - 07:28NEWS00:41Qatar’s foreign minister visits Tehran as efforts to ease Iran-U.S. crisis continue 27/08 - 18:21NEWS01:00Rescuers search for survivors follow catastrophic flash floods in Nepal 27/08 - 16:21More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 5 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews