Civilians have been allowed once again to use the main road to the northern regions of Cabo Delgado province, following an intervention from the Local Force, the militia supporting the regular Mozambican armed forces in fighting the insurgency in the province.
Access to the N380 between the towns of Macomia and Oasse (Awasse) was blocked for seven days until Sunday 7 July by the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR), the heavily armed police division which normally provides escorts to traffic on the road. The UIR officers are understood to have been blocking traffic because they were unable to provide escorts due to a lack of fuel.
As a result, vehicles had not been able to travel further than Macomia, or in some cases the Silva Macua crossing in Ancuabe district. People trying to reach northern districts like Mueda, Muidumbe, Mocímboa da Praia and Nangade have had to use the Sunate-Montepuez-Mueda road.
Residents of Macomia confirmed to Zitamar News that traffic resumed on Sunday following the intervention of the Local Force contingent in Mueda district, which they see as the high command of the Local Force.
“[T]he Mozambican forces allowed cars to pass, but it was the intervention of the Local Forces of Mueda that made them unblock it,” a resident said. Another resident confirmed the account.
A further resident said that public transport vehicles on Monday were no longer parked at their station, but were almost all in service and being escorted, including by the UIR.
