- Death toll rises to 18, with some victims from the same family
- Third incident since July in which Mozambique’s navy is accused of killing civilians in Cabo Delgado
By Sheila Nhancale
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – The Governor of Cabo Delgado, Valige Tauabo, told MOZTIMES he had postponed a planned visit to Matemo Island, in Ibo district, home to most of the 18 victims killed on 8 September, allegedly by members of the Mozambican navy.
Rolas Island, a few miles from Matemo, was the scene of the massacre of fishermen and fish traders. The island is not permanently inhabited but is seasonally occupied by fishermen who stay for weeks or months to catch and trade fish.
Speaking to MOZTIMES by phone on Saturday, Tauabo said he still did not have complete information about the incident. He revealed that he had scheduled a visit for the same day (13 September) to gather facts on the ground, but it did not go ahead.
“I don’t yet have all the data, because I was supposed to go there today, but it was postponed,” the governor said, adding that the new date would depend on security guidance.
Initial reports said 16 civilians, fishermen and fish traders, had been killed, allegedly by soldiers travelling in motorboats typically used by the navy. Local sources, however, said the death toll had risen to 18 following the discovery of more bodies.
According to local accounts, on the afternoon of Monday 8 September about 30 civilians were on Rolas Island when boats carrying soldiers arrived and suddenly opened fire without addressing those present.
“Many died on the spot. Some managed to flee during the attack, about seven survived, though some were seriously injured,” one source told MOZTIMES anonymously. “One of them was my brother-in-law, from Nampula, who was also fishing there,” the source added.
Another witness said the soldiers arrived in three boats, surrounded the island from different points and then opened fire in the direction where people were sitting.
“The shooting began at around 2 p.m. and only ended at 5 p.m., when they withdrew, leaving the dead behind. They then moved to another part of the island to check if anyone was still alive,” the source explained.
A week after the massacre, some of the victims have been identified. Among them were members of the same family from Matemo. “Mr Estambul lost two sons, Nhama and Nsuco. His second wife lost a brother named Papaito,” a source said.
Other victims included Baraca, a fisherman from Messano in Mucojo administrative post, on the mainland of Macomia district. Another was Andane, a young fisherman from Muanacombo neighbourhood on Matemo Island
On Thursday (11 September), Ibo district administrator Amisse Inchamo visited Matemo to meet local leaders and residents, who are angered by the killings. Contacted by MOZTIMES on Monday, Inchamo declined to comment on the massacre. “It is difficult for me to provide information over the phone,” he said, adding that he needed “to make consultations”.
The Rolas Island massacre comes just days after another incident in the region, in which naval forces were accused of shooting dead seven civilians travelling from Mussemuko to Pangane, carrying more than 200 sacks of salt for sale.
In July, a similar episode involving alleged navy soldiers was reported in the same area, leaving several dead. The navy denies involvement in any of these attacks.
The area where the killings took place is frequently used by insurgents, who turn to the sea to buy fish on the islands and move between coastal villages, avoiding clashes with government forces on land. (SN)
