Mozambique’s Battle For Mocimboa da Praia Continues As SADC Pledges Unspecified Support

Southern African Development Community (SADC) has pledged support for Mozambique in the country’s ongoing battle against armed insurgents that have captured its northern port city of Mocimboa da Praia. That was reported by some media on August 18, 2020.

The pledge is said to have been made in a communique given at the end of the regional bloc’s virtual 40th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, hosted by outgoing SADC chair country Tanzania, that was held on August 17, 2020. The pledge, however, fell short of specifying the sort of support SADC is intending to give.

Armed insurgents in northern Mozambique are reportedly linked to Islamic State terrorist group, and may have support or sympathy from some local communities there. The insurgents captured the city of Mocimboa da Praia last week. But now, Mozambique government troops are said to have surrounded the city, probably preparing for a decisive assault aimed at recapturing it from the insurgents.

Mocimboa da Praia is located along the Indian Ocean in the country’s Cabo Delgado Province. It’s surrounding areas are rich in natural gas reserves, with some huge natural gas projects said to be worth a staggering $60 billion in progress.

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