Inside Story

How can armed groups in northern Mozambique be contained?

Fighters linked to ISIL have intensified attacks recently in the gas-rich Cabo-Delgado province.

Villagers beheaded and homes torched in northern Mozambique.

More than 2,000 people have been killed and 300,000 displaced during the past three years following attacks by fighters linked to the ISIL (ISIS) group.

And, as the security threat from the armed group has grown significantly in recent months, the lives of many more are now at risk.

The fighters seized a key port in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province in August.

The area is near offshore gas projects worth tens of billions of dollars.

Towns and roads in the province have also been attacked.

The government has been struggling to contain the fighters and is urging the international community to help.

So, will other countries act to prevent a regional security crisis?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Fernando Lima – Chairman of Mediacoop, an independent media group in Mozambique.

Stig Jarle Hansen – Professor of international relations at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Zenaida Machado – Researcher in the Africa division at Human Rights Watch.

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