The US embassy yesterday (11 Oct) issued a security alert for Nampula city (“credible threats”), Xai-Xai (“recent violence against civil society groups”) and Cabo Delgado north of Pemba. It points to “a recent increase in tensions, including some political violence” but also says it “expects the elections to be relatively calm throughout most of the country.” In particular it warns that “US citizens should avoid polling stations and government buildings on election day,” although it appears that this will be ignored by US election observers.
Gondola flight after armed attacks
Fearing attacks by gunmen, dozens of families living in Pindanganga, Gondola, Manica have left their homes to seek shelter in Gondola town, where they are temporarily staying in Moatize neighbourhood, our correspondents report. In 45 days, at least 10 people have been wounded and one killed in attacks.
Pindanganga’s families left the village following an attack on Monday (8 October). Armed men went to the village and assaulted the local secretary. At the same time, the attackers set fire to the district administrator Moguen Candeeiro’s vehicle, who was campaigning in the village. At least four police officers were injured.
“We have come here because the situation is becoming difficult there. There are no people left,” a displaced person told the Bulletin. Displaced families are terrified and some refused to talk in fear that something might happen to them, our correspondents report. A displaced woman told the Bulletin Friday that families are in unsafe conditions and many of them have nowhere to sleep.
“When he learned that they were Renamo men, Pindanganga’s leader did his best to help, but the situation was getting worse,” said one displaced person. “They come into our houses, and steal chickens and goats,” he lamented. At this moment, a contingent of the Defence and Security Forces is in the locality. The population fears the worst and is slowly leaving, and Pindangonga is deserted, our correspondents report. The village has 3,000 registered voters, and fears of attacks by gunmen could jeopardize their vote on 15 October.
A resident of Pindanganga now in Gondola said the people would like to vote on 15 October. “We are asking the Government to bring our polling station here for the people of Pindanganga to vote,” he said.
This was the third attack in Gondola district and the first in Pindanganga village since the start of the election campaign. On Friday police arrested three men who allegedly carried out armed attacks in Gondola distinct and elsewhere in the central province of Manica. Manica Provincial Police Command spokesman Mario Arnanca said the police made the arrests “at about 14.00 in a remote area of Gondola”, and the three admitted responsibility for attacks against trucks on the road from Beira to Chimoio, for the destruction of the car belonging to the Gondola district administrator last Tuesday, and for the murder of the Frelimo secretary in Pungwe, Mossurize. “There is strong evidence that these are Renamo men,” Arnaça told reporters in Manica. “The detainees include a lieutenant, major and driver of the late Renamo leader Afonso Dlhakama,” he added.
Also in Manica, another case of population displacement was reported yesterday (11 October) in Nhabanga, Sussundenga. Dozens of families are leaving the village for fear of attacks by gunmen. Recently, the Bulletin reported the murder of the Frelimo secretary by gunmen in the Paúnde region, in the same locality.
