Latest news with #Niassa
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Militant attacks hit Mozambique as Total readies to resume gas project
MAPUTO: A series of attacks in northern Mozambique this month point to a resurgence of violence by Daesh-linked militants as energy giant TotalEnergies prepares to resume a major gas project, analysts say. The group terrorized northern Mozambique for years before brazenly vowing in 2020 to turn the northern gas-rich Cabo Delgado province into a caliphate. TotalEnergies paused a multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas project there in 2021 following a wave of bloody raids that forced more than a million people to flee. The insurgency was pushed to the background by a months-long unrest that followed elections in October. But there has been a new wave of violence. In May, the Islamists attacked two military installations, claiming to kill 11 soldiers in the first and 10 in the second. A security expert confirmed the first attack and put the toll at 17. There was no comment from the Mozambican security forces. There were two dramatic strikes earlier – a raid on a wildlife reserve in the neighboring Niassa province late April killed at least two rangers, while an ambush in Cabo Delgado claimed the lives of three Rwandan soldiers. Also unusual was a thwarted attack on a Russian oceanographic vessel in early May that the crew said in a distress message was launched by 'pirates,' according to local media. 'Clearly there is a cause and effect because some actions correspond exactly to important announcements in the gas area,' said Fernando Lima, a researcher with the Cabo Ligado conflict observatory which monitors violence in Mozambique, referring to the $4.7 billion funding approved in mid-March by the US Export-Import Bank for the long-delayed gas project. 'The insurgents are seeing more vehicles passing by with white project managers,' said Jean-Marc Balencie of the French-based political and security risk group Attika Analysis. 'There's more visible activity in the region and that's an incentive for attacks.' Conflict tracker ACLED recorded at least 80 attacks in the first four months of the year. The uptick was partly due to the end of the rainy season which meant roads were once again passable, it said. TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said last Friday that the security situation had 'greatly improved' although there were 'sporadic incidents.' The attack that stalled the TotalEnergies project in 2021 occurred in the port town of Palma and lasted several days, sending thousands fleeing into the forest. ACLED estimated that more than 800 civilians and combatants were killed while independent journalist Alex Perry reported after an investigation that more than 1,400 were dead or missing. Rwandan forces deployed alongside the Mozambique military soon afterwards, their number increasing to around 5,000, based on Rwandan military statements. The concentration of forces in Cabo Delgado 'allows insurgents to easily conduct operations in Niassa province,' said a Mozambican military officer on condition of anonymity. The raid on the tourist wildlife lodge straddling Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces was for 'propaganda effect,' said Lima, as it grabbed more international media attention than hits on local villages that claim the lives of locals. Strikes on civilians, with several cases of decapitation reported, often fall under the radar because of the remoteness of the impoverished region and official silence. 'More than 25,000 people have been displaced in Mozambique within a few weeks,' the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said last week. This was in addition to the 1.3 million the UN said in November had been displaced since the conflict began in 2017. 'The renewed intensity of the conflict affects regions previously considered rather stable,' said UNHCR's Mozambique representative Xavier Creach. In Niassa, for example, about 2,085 people fled on foot after an attack on Mbamba village late April where women reported witnessing beheadings. More than 6,000 people have died in the conflict since it erupted, according to Acled.
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- The Guardian
Ten dead in ‘brutal' attacks by Isis-linked militants on Mozambique wildlife reserve
One of Africa's largest protected areas has been shaken by a series of attacks by Islamic State-linked extremists, which have left at least 10 people dead. Conservationists in Niassa reserve, Mozambique, say decades of work to rebuild populations of lions, elephants and other keystone species are being jeopardised, as conservation operations grind to a halt. On 29 April, militants attacked buildings in Niassa, killing two anti-poaching scouts. Two more scouts are missing and another seriously injured. The attack, which was later claimed by Islamic State-Mozambique, came 10 days after another raid on a nearby safari camp in which two people were beheaded and six soldiers were killed. A village of 2,000 people has been displaced by the violence and all conservation work has been suspended in Niassa reserve, according to local groups. On Monday, wildlife and community organisations warned that the violence is risking more than 20 years of conservation work in the area. 'The worst thing about these kind of attacks, which is kind of the point, is the fear factor. The attacks are brutal: the two carpenters that were killed at the safari camp were beheaded. There is enormous fear from communities from the brutality of the attack,' said Colleen Begg, managing director of Niassa Carnivore Project, whose headquarters were attacked in the 29 April raid. Begg said that the suspension of tourism activities could affect the area for several years. 'Niassa reserve is special because of its size. It is the size of Switzerland. There are very few places like this in Africa with no fences, with large populations of lions, elephants and animals that require a lot of range. It's one of these beautiful wilderness areas. We've been trying to figure out how to make it a world heritage site and all of that is now at risk because of insecurity,' she said. At 4.2m hectares (10m acres), Niassa is regarded as one of Africa's most important wildlife refuges. It is home to as many as 1,000 lions, 350 critically endangered African wild dogs, and recovering populations of elephants, buffalo and other keystone species. Islamic State Mozambique, known locally as al-Shabaab although not linked to the group in Somalia, emerged in 2017 and has displaced more than 1 million people in northern Mozambique as its activities have expanded. While there was a crackdown on the group after an attack on the city of Palma that resulted in the suspension of a major gas project by TotalEnergies, the militants remain active in the country's northernmost province. Nine conservation and safari camps have been abandoned since the attacks, with one destroyed by the Islamist group. Begg said that urgent support was needed to restore peace in the region and prevent further loss of life. The Mozambican army is in pursuit of the IS-linked group. 'Obviously, the first task is to solve the problems with the insurgents and get them out of Niassa. If we cannot create peace, people can't walk to collect honey, they can't go to their fields, they can't harvest. It's impossible for conservationists. No tourists will come. It is devastating,' Begg said. Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Prince of Wales is 'deeply saddened' by horrific armed attack which saw two wildlife rangers killed - as he shares condolences with families of victims
The Prince and Princess of Wales are 'deeply saddened' and have shared their condolences with families of wildlife rangers who were killed in an attack. Tragically, two men - Domingos Daude and Fernando Paolo Wirsone - died, while Mario Cristovao was 'severely injured' after coming across an armed group at the Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique. Two scouts remain unaccounted for. Taking to Instagram, William and Kate first shared a statement from United for Wildlife, which the heir to the throne founded. 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the horrific attacks on the Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique and the tragic passing of two of the Niassa Carnivore Project antipoaching scouts, Domingos Daude and Fernando Paolo Wirsone,' it read. 'Our heartfelt condolences go to the families and colleagues of Domingos and Fernando as well as the severely injured scout Mario Cristovao who we hope makes a full recovery. 'Our thoughts are also with the families of the two scouts that remain unaccounted for, we pray for their safe return and now the team in Niassa are doing everything possible to find them. 'Rangers are on the frontline of nature protection, and these devastating acts of violence are a stark reminder of the grave danger these individuals face on a daily basis. This highlights the critical need to increase our efforts to support the crucial work of nature's guardians.' The attack took place on April 29, when an armed group reportedly attacked Mariri Environmental and Skills Training Centre and the Niassa Carnivore Project (NCP) Headquarters in the southeastern Niassa Special Reserve - in northern Mozambique. According to a joint statement from both the Niassa Carnivore Project and the Mariri Environmental Centre, the attack comes as a result of an insurgent group. 'This marks a troubling expansion of the ongoing conflict in northern Mozambique into one of Mozambique's most important protected areas,' the join release read. 'Our team and assets were evacuated from our camp on the 20th of April following an attack on the Kambako Safari camp by the same group on the 19th of April. 'Our antipoaching scouts were on site at Mariri to keep a presence, supported by soldiers of Forcas de Defesa e Segurança de Moçambique. The attack happened between 5pm and 6pm.' In the aftermath, residents of the nearby Mbamba Village were reportedly forced to run 'into the bush for safety'. 'Over the past three days, our team has worked tirelessly to find and support affected staff and community members and bring them to safety to Mecula, the district capital,' the statement added. 'We are grateful that the rest of our team are safe and we can provide them with the support they need. We send our heartfelt condolences and unwavering support to the families of Domingos and Fernando and to the families whose family members are still missing. We are all devastated. 'Our immediate priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected. After that, we will rebuild and restart our work. Insecurity is deeply damaging - not only to conservation but also to the livelihoods of the ~ 70 000 people who call Niassa home and to tourism across the region.' William in another Story post added that the 'attack is yet another brutal reminder of the immense sacrifices made by those protecting our natural world'. 'The reality is that being a ranger has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet,' he added. 'My thoughts are with all those affected and their families.' William has long been an advocate for wildlife causes and conservation projects - and has supported the workers who champion it. Just last week, to coincide with Their Royal Highnesses' visit, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales have announced its support for the Mull and Iona Ranger Service. United for Wildlife, which was created by William, will fund two crucial new ranger roles and help to ensure the Isles' natural beauty continues to be responsibly managed whilst keeping nature accessible to residents and visitors through education and engagement. Dr Tom Clements, Executive Director of Conservation, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales commented: 'Rangers play a fundamental yet often misunderstood and overlooked role. They do far more than just protect wildlife. They are educators, community supporters, researchers and scientists. They preserve cultural heritage, and they help safeguard and regulate the sustainable use of natural resources. 'As we face increasing threats to our planet and natural world, the role of rangers in rural communities like Mull and Iona is invaluable for protecting the landscapes and environment on which communities rely.' And in November, William joined Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, 20-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin, for a walk in Cape Town, while visiting South Africa for the Earthshot Prize awards - on which he also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers. They told him about the diversity of fauna and flora and the work they do to protect the environment while ensuring residents and tourists are able to enjoy the area. William was met upon his arrival by Megan Taplin, park manager for Table Mountain National Park, and they also went on a walk to discuss local biodiversity. He also met Cape Town City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Bathandwa Diniso, a youth representative for South Africa National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers. Elsewhere last year, the royal also spoke of the importance of protecting wildlife at the Tusk Conservation Awards. In a four-minute speech the Prince warned 'tonight is a reminder that our planet continues to face terrifying environmental concerns'. He hailed the award winners for reminding 'us of the importance of living at peace with nature'. And speaking of George, Charlotte and Louis, he said 'I want my children to live in a world where swallows still migrate, gorillas still live in the cloud forests of Uganda and rhinos still roam the arid rangelands of Namibia.' William also presented the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa to Nomba Gname, The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa to Edward Aruna and the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award to Claver Ntoyinkima. The Tusk Conservation Awards are an annual event which recognises conservation leaders for their pioneering work protecting wildlife and supporting communities across Africa. William is patron of the awards. The awards first took place more than a decade ago in 2013, thanks to the collaboration between the Prince of Wales and investors, Ninety One. The ceremony, which is held at the world-famous Savoy hotel this evening, awarded three victors for their work in the field. Speaking about the awards previously, William has said: 'These awards which mean a great deal to me personally, play a huge part in our mission to preserve Africa's precious wildlife for its people.'
