- US State Department-funded programme aims to improve security on roads targeted by insurgents
- Announcement comes as ExxonMobil prepares to announce its final investment decision on the Rovuma LNG project
By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – A private US security company has announced that it has secured funding from the US State Department to make road travel safer and protect economic interests in northern Mozambique.
In a post published on Thursday, Sincerus, the company implementing the programme, said it would provide specialised training, non-lethal equipment and on-the-ground mentoring to the Mozambican police. The support aims to strengthen the police’s ability to detect, deter and respond to terrorist threats.
Operations will focus on two of Cabo Delgado’s main roads, National Road No. 1 (N1) and National Road No. 380 (N380). These roads are vital links between northern Cabo Delgado and the rest of the province and the country. Since 2024, they have been the scene of deadly ambushes by Islamic State-backed terrorist groups operating in northern Mozambique.
Sincerus did not disclose the total cost of the programme. However, an announcement in April indicated that between US$4 million and US$4.9 million had been earmarked for a two-year period.
Through training and equipment, the programme aims to help the Mozambican police secure the main roads in the north of the country, protect US economic interests and reduce terrorist threats so that businesses can operate more safely, the company said.
Sincerus previously coordinated a US State Department-funded programme in Mozambique to train the Mozambican Defence Armed Forces (FADM) in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC).
The programme comes as US oil company ExxonMobil is expected to announce its final investment decision on the Rovuma LNG project. Progress on the project is expected to increase the movement of people and goods towards the districts of Palma and Mocímboa da Praia in northern Cabo Delgado, making it urgent to improve road security.
Last week, ExxonMobil announced that it had increased its stake in the Rovuma LNG project from 25% to 50% by acquiring a stake held by Italy’s Eni. The change in ownership still requires approval from the Mozambican regulators.
The terrorist threat in Cabo Delgado has grown since late 2024. This year, the jihadist insurgents have carried out attacks even along the corridor between Palma and Mocímboa da Praia. The corridor has been regarded as the safest since Mozambican forces, with support from the Rwandan armed forces, regained control of the town of Mocímboa da Praia in August 2021.
This week, Cabo Delgado’s secretary of state, Plácido Pereira, acknowledged that the terrorist threat had yet to be defeated and that terrorists remained in the province. His remarks mark a shift in the government’s public position. About two years ago, the government maintained that there were no longer any terrorist bases in any district of Cabo Delgado. (MT)
