Metro

Mozambique struggling to deal with insurgency in Cabo Delgado province – President laments

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2022

Mozambique President, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, has lamented the growing insurgency in the Northern Cabo Delgado province by Islamist militants which has resulted in the beheading of six people and the abduction of dozens of others.

The militants had, on Wednesday, attacked the Nampula region in the Delgado province where they beheaded six residents and abducted an unspecified number.

In a nationwide address on Thursday, Nyusi said the country was really struggling to deal with the new wave of terror in the region which also led to the burning of houses and destruction of property, and also warned that the Islamist militant movement is spreading to new territory despite efforts by government and regional forces to contain it.

In the recorded address on national radio President Nyusi also said that the “militants were attempting to bolster their numbers by trying to recruit new members in Nampula province but were unsuccessful.”

The Mozambique leader also said the country’s defense and security forces, with the support of troops from Rwanda and the regional bloc SADC, are fighting the militants and recently recaptured a terrorist Katupha base in Cabo Delgado province.

He noted that the terrorist base was where the militants had taken refuge after being displaced in towns and villages now under the control of government authorities.

The terrorist attack was the third within five days in the province, where the incidents are said to be creating a new wave of displaced people.

Click to comment

Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

13 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.