The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has confirmed that more than 400,000 people have fled militant attacks in northern Mozambique.

The Commission warned that "the crisis may spread quickly outside the borders of this African country, if its neighbors do not contribute to countering the rebellion."

The head of the regional administration of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in southern African regions, Valentin Tapsuba, told "Reuters", "The families who were re-arranging their lives after the devastation caused by Hurricane Kenneth in 2019, had to flee from the militant attacks."

He said, "This situation began in one country, but if all countries did not sharpen their efforts to confront it, and waited too long, it might spread in the region," stressing that "424,000 citizens fled the rebellion in Mozambique, to Nyasa, Nampula and Bemba." Pointing out that "this number may increase."

"The Mozambican authorities say that 570,000 people have fled the militant attacks," he added.

He pointed out that the Mozambican government, United Nations agencies, and other non-governmental organizations will launch a global appeal next Friday to donate to families who fled Cabo Delgado.

He also warned that the onset of the rainy season could make it difficult to reach the camps where thousands live, which would be a "nightmare for these people."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Spokesman in Zimbabwe, George Charamba, said that the leaders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania will meet in Maputo today to discuss this matter.

It is worth noting that the Cabo Delgado region, which is located in the far north of Mozambique and has investments in the field of gas of about 60 billion dollars, is facing a rebellion linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), which gained strength this year, in light of the rebel attacks on the Mozambican army from some time ago. For another, and they take over entire towns.

Source: Reuters

By:Nadeemy Haded