By MOZTIMES
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – Traffic along Mozambique’s National Road Number 380 (N380), between Macomia and Awasse, resumed on Tuesday morning after being suspended since Friday due to a surge in attacks by insurgents linked to the Islamic State.
The first convoy of vehicles, escorted by military personnel, departed from the Macomia district headquarters at approximately 9:00 a.m. and headed towards Awasse, in Mocímboa da Praia district, completing the journey without incident. Early in the afternoon, another convoy departed from Awasse towards Macomia, also under military escort. By Wednesday, traffic along the route had returned to normal.
The N380 is vital for the movement of people and goods between the southern and northern districts of Cabo Delgado. The road also connects the port cities of Pemba and Nacala with the northern part of the province, serving as a key supply corridor for essential goods destined for the area most affected by the insurgency that has gripped Cabo Delgado since 2017.
Armed attacks along this stretch have caused substantial material damage, loss of life and major disruptions to the supply of goods in the northern region, including emergency aid, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Insurgents primarily carry out attacks to loot goods and abduct drivers and passengers for ransom. Military escorts have proved insufficient to prevent ambushes, which, at times, include the detonation of explosive devices to induce panic.
Alternatives to this route are costly and largely impractical, including maritime and air transport, as well as dirt roads, which become almost impassable during the current rainy season. (MT)
