The Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force, Lt Col SimoN Kabera interacts with residents of Quionga, Palma District on December 18, 2023. All photos by Christianne Murengerantwari
Residents of Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado have started rebuilding their lives after operations by Rwandan and Mozambican security forces that purged Islamic State-linked insurgents in the area.
In the coastal districts of Palma and Mocimboa da Praia, which used to be strongholds of the Ansar al Sunnah wal Jama’a terror group, life has returned to normal.
For half a decade, the Islamist group had paralysed the province and killed more than 4,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.
At the request of the Mozambican government, Rwanda deployed troops to Cabo Delgado in July 2021. Joint operations by Rwandan and Mozambican forces have seen between 250,000 and 300,000 people return to their homes.
The Mozambican army says 90-95 per cent of the terrorist-affected areas are now secure, with the movement of people and goods between the town off the coast of the Indian ocean back.
Locals in Palma and Mocimboa da Praia have returned to their daily economic activities such as fishing and farming.
Banking and financial services as well as hotels have reopened in the coastal towns.
A trader sells tomatoes in Palma town. Economic activities have resumed in the coastal district, which was ravaged by terrorist attacks before the deployment of the Rwandan troops. PHOTOS BY CHRISTIANNE MURENGERANTWARI
A power supply station in Awasse, which serves five districts in Cabo Delgado, was repaired after Rwandan and Mozambican security liberated the coastal districts of Mocimboa da Praia.
Construction workers repair a bridge in Palma district.
Irene Nhassala Njueka, a village leader in Mocimboa da Praia, poses for a picture with members of her locality.
A market built by Rwandan and Mozambican security forces in Mocimboa da Praia.
Mozambican soldiers.
Rwandan soldiers attend to a resident of Mocimboa da Praia during a medical outreach by Rwandan and Mozambican security forces in the coastal city on December 16, 2023.
A vegetable seller in Palma town.
Public transport, including taxi motorcycles, has resumed in the coastal towns in Cabo Delgado.
The airport in Mocimboa da Praia has reopened after security was restored in the port city.
A health centre in Mocimboa da Praia has reopened after security was restored in the district, thanks to joint operations by Rwandan and Mozambican forces.
Rwandan police officers on patrol in Palma town on December 18, 2023.
Mozambican police officers in a pickup truck.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force, Lt Col SimoN Kabera interacts with residents of Quionga, Palma District on December 18, 2023. All photos by Christianne Murengerantwari
Maj Gen Tiago Alberto Nampele, the Army Commander of the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (third from right) and Maj Gen Alex Kagame, the Joint Task Force Commander of the Rwanda Security Forces in Cabo Delgado (fourth from right) and other senior officers pose for a picture in Mocimboa da Praia on December 19, 2023.
A man repairs a motorcycle in Palma town.
Small trader in Palma town attracts customers using a megaphone.
Property owners in Palma have began to repair their houses as the coastal district returns to normal, thanks to joint operations by Rwandan and Mozambican forces.
Airport in Afungi, Palma District.
A Rwandan police officer on patrol in Palma town on December 18, 2023.
Economic activities have resumed in Palma District.
Small businesses like tailoring are one of the sources of income in Palma District.