Mozambique battles to overcome insurgency

An Islamic State affiliate has emerged as a serious threat to the gas projects in Cabo Delgado, but the authorities remain firmly in control

A mysterious insurgency that emerged in 2017 in Mozambique’s gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado has worsened over the last year and is now claimed as an affiliate by Islamic State. The brunt of the impact is being felt by the local population, who risk being abducted or even beheaded in attacks on villages and the province’s roads. But is also hitting people’s livelihoods and progress on two LNG projects that the country hopes will transform its economy.  Over the last month, problems have been compounded by serious flooding that has washed away two bridges on the main road between Pemba, the provincial capital, and the site shared by the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG and the Total-led Mozambique