- Chief of Naval Operations in Cabo Delgado confirms the incident, but without details
By MOZTIMES
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – Members of the Mozambican Navy are accused of killing 13 fishermen on the morning of Sunday (15) around Nsiri Siri, near the village of Kalugo, south of the town of Mocímboa da Praia.
The fishermen, whose total number has not yet been confirmed, were in three boats carrying out fishing activities when soldiers identified as members of the Mozambican Navy approached in a small vessel, initially showing no signs of hostility.
A local source, a neighbour of one of the fishermen on one of the attacked boats, said there were three fishing boats at the site, with fishermen working.
“When the soldiers arrived, they simply greeted them and asked where they were coming from, and the fishermen replied that they had come from Mocímboa da Praia. After some time, the members of the Defence and Security Forces went on their way, but about 50 to 100 metres later, they returned violently, opening fire on the fishermen,” the source said.
Following the attack, 13 deaths were confirmed yesterday, in addition to three people seriously injured and three others who escaped without injuries. There are reports of many others missing.
“One of the victims said that initially there was no concern; people thought they were good soldiers. But then they began shooting at defenceless fishermen. Our information here comes from a survivor. I am shocked,” said another source.
“One of the injured managed to receive first aid from Rwandan soldiers in Lucheti, but we do not know what happened to the other two boats,” another source said.
A hospital source in the coastal town of Mocímboa da Praia told MOZTIMES that a number of fishermen were receiving treatment at the Mocímboa da Praia rural hospital on Sunday night, but that due to the seriousness of their condition, they would be evacuated to the rural hospital in Mueda or to the Provincial Hospital in the city of Pemba.
“So far, four people have been transferred from Mocímboa da Praia to Pemba. They have bullets in their bodies, and it was not easy to remove them locally,” the same source said.
MOZTIMES contacted the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence, the Chief of Public Relations of the General Staff of the Mozambican Armed Forces, and the Chief of Naval Operations in Cabo Delgado. All confirmed that they were aware of the incident, but none agreed to comment due to lack of authorisation.
The Chief of Naval Operations in Cabo Delgado, Nelson Machai, said in a call interview that he had received information about the incident in Kalugo but was still waiting for further details from colleagues on the ground.
“I am currently in Pemba. I heard about this incident from my colleagues, but I do not have details. There have been communication problems”, said the captain. “I also think I am not the right person to speak to the press about this matter. I report to my superior. It would be better to speak to the Navy commander in Maputo,” he added.
Read also: Navy Steps up Patrols Along the Coast of Mocímboa da Praia and Macomia
Last week, we reported that along the coast of Mocímboa da Praia and Macomia, the Navy had been intensifying maritime operations to contain insurgents, who days earlier had used the same area to travel to islands and villages in Macomia and Mocímboa da Praia, where they bought or looted food supplies.
The Kalugo incident appears to result from these operations which, instead of neutralising insurgents, are hitting innocent fishermen.
Last Tuesday, residents of Ingoane village, in Pangane locality, Mucojo administrative post, Macomia district, reported the disappearance of a local fisherman who had gone out to sea with a colleague.
According to reports, the two were fishing in an area not far from Ingoane village when they suddenly noticed a Mozambican Navy boat approaching.
Aware of previous incidents, one of the fishermen jumped into the sea and swam towards the mainland, eventually reaching the shore.
His colleague, named Muera Nchina, remained on the boat and is now missing. It is not known what happened afterwards, whether he was captured or killed by members of the forces. His boat had also not been located as of Friday.
Another source said that in addition to carrying out constant patrols, the Mozambican Navy has positioned itself at three strategic points between the coastal villages of the districts of Macomia and Mocímboa da Praia. (MT)
