Aid Prospects for Mozambique, but Civilians Still at Risk

As thousands of Mozambicans displaced by the war in the northern Cabo Delgado province return home, the prospects of aid to address the under-development which has fuelled the insurgency, are improving, writes AllAfrica.

However, while the number of attacks by insurgents is declining, civilians remain threatened by isolated attacks and the deployment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along roads. And as some insurgents pursue a "hearts-and-minds" strategy with local people, there is increasing concern at the reported abuse of civilians by undisciplined Mozambican forces.

Civilians in Cabo Delgado face a difficult choice: they risk being seen as collaborators by state forces if they interact with insurgents, but those same forces provide limited protection against insurgents. The future of Cabo Delgado remains uncertain, but it is clear that the insurgency is a complex problem with no easy solutions.