Page 4 - DMEA Week 50 2020

DMEA COMMENTARY DMEA

Security concerns mounting

in Mozambique

LNG projects are facing more risk because of Islamists’ continued clashes

with the Mozambican armed forces and the swelling number of refugees

MOZAMBIQUE SECURITY issues have been a concern for FADM did announce on November 20
Total (France), Eni (Italy) and other interna- that it had succeeded in retaking a village in
WHAT: tional oil companies (IOCs) pursuing natural Muidumbe district, but other sources reported
ASWJ has stepped up gas development and liquefaction projects in on November 29 that the Islamist group
attempts to gain territory Mozambique for some time. Since 2017, that appeared to be responsible for an attack that
in the northern Cabo country’s northern Cabo Delgado Province has killed at least 25 soldiers and injured 15 more
Delgado Province. been racked by conflict between Ahlu Sunnah in Matambalale, another village in the same
Wa-Jamo (ASWJ), a separatist group that has district.
WHY: links to the Islamic State (Daesh), and the armed ASWJ then mounted another offensive last
The separatist group forces, known as Forças Armadas de Defesa de week in Mute, located in the Palma district of
is targeting areas near Moçambique (FADM). Cabo Delgado. FADM responded by sending
Mozambique LNG’s Conditions took a turn for the worse earlier soldiers to the village, which is just 20 km away
liquefaction plant. in August of this year, when ASWJ fighters took from the site where Total is building the Mozam-
control of Mocímboa da Praia, a port in Cabo bique LNG plant.
WHAT NEXT: Delgado that Total and its partners had been After several days of combat, it was able to
If the conflict spreads using as a delivery point for the equipment expel the militants with air support from Dyck
across the region, it could needed to build the Mozambique LNG plant Advisory Group, a private South African secu-
disrupt billions of dollars on the Afungi Peninsula. The French major rity firm that has been aiding the Mozambican
in LNG investments. responded to this development by redirecting government.
its shipments to another point, and work on the The fighting was intense enough to force
LNG plant continued. Total to suspend construction for several days,
Nevertheless, concerns about the possibil- AFP reported on December 11, citing Mozam-
ity of disruption to the project have lingered. bican sources. The French company did not con-
Indeed, they have probably grown in recent firm the report, but it did tell the news agency
weeks, as ASWJ has stepped up its campaign to that it was “closely monitoring” the situation in
seize territory in Cabo Delgado. northern Mozambique.

P4 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 50 17•December•2020