- Rwandan troops face challenges curbing terrorist activity in Macomia
By MOZTIMES
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – On Thursday morning, a group of insurgents launched another attack along the National Road Number 380 (N380), ambushing a public transport vehicle on the stretch between the villages of Nova Zambézia and V Congresso, in the administrative post of Chai, northern Macomia district.
The attack occurred at around 11 am and resulted in the kidnapping of a driver known as Shitaky Deny, who was operating a Canter truck on the Macomia-Muidumbe route.
According to local sources, the vehicle was carrying passengers at the time of the ambush. Insurgents stopped the vehicle, seized the driver, and demanded a ransom of 40,000 meticais (USD 600) for his release.
Following the incident, the attackers left with the driver and allowed the vehicle to continue with the driver's assistant, who later caused an accident along the route. One passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Muidumbe Hospital. Due to the severity of the injuries, the victim was later transferred to Mueda District Hospital for specialised medical care.
Insurgents have frequently targeted vehicles along the N380, particularly between Macomia and Awasse, resulting in deaths, injuries, and material losses. Despite the presence of Rwandan Defence Forces in the region, the attacks persist.
Until the first half of 2024, the stretch was under military escort provided by Mozambican forces, but this was halted without any public explanation. It is believed that post-election protests compelled the Government to redirect security efforts to other parts of the country, weakening protection in Cabo Delgado.
The continued attacks on the N380 are also having an economic impact, due to the increasing difficulties in transporting goods by road to the northern districts of Cabo Delgado. (MT)
