By Hannatu Sadiq
Rwandan military says its forces and Mozambican troops have taken over Mocímboa da Praia, a key port city from Islamist militants in northern Mozambique.
Mocímboa da Praia located in Cabo Delgado province, was the rebels’ last stronghold and home to one of Africa’s biggest gas fields.
The news is seen as a major gain for Mozambique in its fight against insurgents in its north, even though the insurgents have not yet reacted to the development.
The Mozambican armed forces which has been struggling to regain control of the province, has been reluctant to seek foreign military help, but has now accepted help from its neighbours.
Rwanda last month sent 1,000 soldiers to Mozambique to fight the militants, who launched an insurgency in 2017. The Southern African Regional Bloc, SADC, is sending in hundreds of troops, while former colonial power Portugal is on the ground instructing soldiers.
More than 3,000 people have been killed and 820,000 displaced during the conflict.
The forces last week claimed their first success since being deployed, saying they had helped the Mozambique army regain control of Awasse — a small but also strategic settlement near Mocimboa da Praia.
