OPINION | We must support Mozambique to overcome terrorism and restore hope

“You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” Maya Angelou was right.

These profound words ring true today when we look at the recent cowardly attacks by terrorists against defenceless Mozambicans.

There’s so much at stake in Mozambique, where the separatist militia known as Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamo (ASWJ) has stepped up its campaign to seize territory in Cabo Delgado, the country’s northernmost province.

On March 24, more than 100 ASWJ fighters attacked Palma, a town in Cabo Delgado, from three sides. Mozambique’s defence and security forces, known locally as SDS, moved in quickly and mounted a counter-attack the next day, but they were not able to regain control immediately.

Moreover, they did not arrive in time to protect Palma’s residents from violence and death.

At the time I’m writing this, the exact number of casualties is still unknown, but credible sources have reported there are dead bodies on streets in the town, and that some corpses have been beheaded.

High-stakes conflict

Mozambique’s government has strong incentives to push back against ASWJ, which has been staging deadly attacks in Cabo Delgado since 2017.

From a diplomatic and political standpoint, it is keen to preserve the territorial integrity of the country and quash the threat to the central government’s authority. This is a sensitive issue, since many residents of Cabo Delgado feel marginalised and ignored by the government, even if they don’t view ASWJ as a viable alternative.

From a geopolitical standpoint, it is intent on prevailing against a group that is serving as the local arm of the Islamic State, also known as Daesh. It’s not interested in letting the country become a haven for terrorism. Yes, this is terrorism — not fighting, not unrest, but terror. Sometimes we in the energy industry have to call it for what it is, no matter how careful we may want to be.

Mozambican leaders understand very well that launching a counter-insurgency push in Cabo Delgado against the extremists will not defeat the tiny and desperate bands of armed terrorists. Instead, if experience in the rest of the world is any guide, it could transform these zeros into heroes. It will embolden them and strengthen their resolve. It will enable them to excel in their favourite role, that of persecuted martyr.

We must win them over with carrots and sticks and transform communities. Smart thinking. They want to do this right and they want results and keep the country together. We should support them.

From an economic standpoint, it is determined to eliminate obstacles to the development of the huge natural gas fields that lie off the coast of Cabo Delgado. These reserves have already attracted more than $50bn (R740bn) worth of investment commitments from consortia led by major international oil companies (IOCs) such as France’s Total, Italy’s Eni, and US-based ExxonMobil.

Total and its partners have already devoted a great deal of time, effort, and money to the establishment of an onshore base and liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant on the Afungi Peninsula.

This complex, which is just a few kilometres away from Palma, will support upstream development work at the offshore block known as Area 1. It isn’t yet complete. If it can’t be finished, Total will have a hard time proceeding with its $20bn (R296bn) Mozambique LNG project, and Eni and ExxonMobil will have a hard time following with their South Coral LNG and Rovuma LNG projects.

This is a real threat, given that Total had to suspend work and evacuated energy workers from the construction site in January after attacks near Palma in December. It is worth noting that the attack on Palma occurred shortly after reports emerged that Total was preparing to bring workers back before the end of March.

Terrorism and human suffering

The threat to Mozambique isn’t just about gas. It isn’t just about money, security, power or territorial integrity. It’s also about people. Human beings.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado is wrecking lives on a vast scale. More than 700,000 people have already fled their homes in northern Mozambique, and the count is rising. According to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, the number could top one million by the middle of the year if the international community does not take steps to end the conflict.

Thanks to support and encouragement from President Filipe Nyusi, his government and the governor of Cabo Delgado, I went to Cabo Delgado. The president and Mozambican officials ensured my delegation had complete and unfettered access to the region. Even during the attacks, I still had a team in Cabo Delgado.

I’ve seen this suffering first-hand. I paid a visit to a refugee camp in the region. I talked to people who have been hurt, who have seen their family members slaughtered by ASWJ fighters. I met children, some of them as young as eight, who have been assaulted by terrorists.

These traumatised souls are living in makeshift, flimsy facilities that are basically made of leaves.

I’m heartbroken and outraged. I’d like to say I’m hopeful things will change soon, but the UNHCR’s forecast of an increase in the number of refugees over the next few months gives me pause.

It’s also sobering to hear the UNHCR has only been able to raise 5% of the $254m (R3.76bn) in funding it sought for its work in Mozambique last November.

Cabo Delgado needs more than security

I’m not trying to give the impression that nothing is being done for Cabo Delgado and its people. That would not be fair or accurate.

With respect to security, Maputo has pledged to work with Total to establish a safe zone around the gas complex on the Afungi Peninsula. It will have to step up its efforts on this front, given that the attack on Palma occurred inside the perimeter of the designated zone, but it is seeking help.

Also, earlier this month, Mozambique’s government invited US military advisers and special forces into the country to deliver counter-terrorism training. It has also accepted an offer from Portugal, its former colonial ruler, to provide additional training for the Mozambican armed forces.

But this isn’t going to be enough. Even though Mozambique’s government is committed to doing everything it can to bring real peace and stability to Cabo Delgado, it needs more support than it is currently getting. It will need ongoing support from the international community — not just in response to the most recent attacks, but for the long haul.

If it doesn’t get that, ASWJ will continue to wreak havoc and force people out of their homes, making terrorism the biggest cause of poverty in Mozambique.

If there isn’t enough help — and if large-scale projects like Mozambique LNG no longer are an option to create jobs and grow the economy — the country will sink further into despair. Cabo Delgado’s people will feel even more marginalised. The country’s natural environment will continue to suffer damage, and there will be no-one available to help.

Doing more and better

More than ever, we have to find ways to combat terror in Cabo Delgado.

There has been talk about negotiations and giving amnesty to ASWJ members who abandon the fight. As I’ve already mentioned, there are plans to provide training and advisory services to Mozambique’s armed forces.

We have to do more, and we have to do better — not just the international community, but all of us, as individuals and business leaders.

We can start by denouncing the evil we’re seeing in Mozambique. We must condemn the assaults and crimes being committed by the terrorists who seek to gain control of Cabo Delgado. We can’t remain quiet, as if nothing consequential is happening there. We must give Nyusi the necessary support and backing to fix this.

More than ever, the country needs our support, our voices and our involvement.

“Leaving behind nights of terror and fear, I rise. Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise,” concluded Angelou.

Energy workers, Palma, Cabo Delgado and Mozambique will rise out of this like the African sun rises every day.

• NJ Ayuk is executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber