Mozambican forces are fighting to drive back insurgents after dozens of people were killed in attacks in the northern Mozambique province of Palma. Human Rights Watch has called on authorities to take urgent measures to protect civilians fleeing the violence in northern Cabo Delgado province. One South African was killed and as many as 15 are still missing, the Daily Maverick reports.
The attacks occurred after French energy giant Total announced that work would gradually resume at a liquified natural gas project in the region. Total is the principal investor in the region, with other firms such as ExxonMobil also involved in the area.
Districts in Northern Cabo Delgado have been the centre of fighting between government forces and the armed Islamist group since October 2017.
According to the US-based data collecting agency Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), the violence has caused the death of more than 2,600 people. Half of those killed have been civilians. allAfrica
