The country has been plagued since 2017 by jihadist violence that has already killed nearly 4,000 people, and forced about 800,000 people to flee. travel has been restricted since the beginning of the month, due to an increase in violence. After a major attack last year, however, the violence had decreased in intensity, partly due to the deployment of regional military forces.
A deadly attack on the port city of Palma in March 2021 forced the French energy giant TotalEnergies to suspend a 16.5 billion euro natural gas project just a few kilometers away.
About 3 100 troops from several African countries deployed in Cabo Delgado last June and retook control over much of the territory.
Hundreds of children have arrived traumatized and exhausted after being separated from their families. Many others have come with their mothers.
Those escaping violence are arriving with no belongings, often with health issues including injuries and severe.
The country experienced tremendous economic growth in the 21st century, particularly after 2010, most Mozambicans did not benefit, and more than half of the population remained mired in poverty. That imbalance, as well as fears of political marginalization, heightened tensions between Renamo and the Frelimo-led government. Discussions of political reform did not bear fruit, and Renamo launched a low-level insurgency. Sporadic fighting between Renamo and police or government forces
Hopes for a peaceful campaign period after the August peace agreement were largely sustained, although there were incidents of election-related violence in some of the country’s provinces. There were also isolated reports of violence on the day of the election, October 15, as well as reports of voter intimidation and fraud. When the election results were released, Nyusi and Frelimo were declared the overwhelming winners.