Rwandan troops have helped recapture Mozambique's strategic port town of Mocimboa da Praia from Islamist insurgents, potentially paving the way for Maputo to resume work on developing its fledgling LNG sector.
Rwanda deployed 1,000 troops to Mozambique last month at the request of Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi to help tackle a rise in militant attacks in the country's northernmost Cabo Delgado province. Troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are also assisting.
The violence prompted TotalEnergies to halt construction work on its 13.1mn t/yr Mozambique LNG project in March, and the firm later declared force majeure. Mocimboa da Praia is located 60km south of the project and had been serving as the main airport for international contractors, while its port was being used for deliveries of equipment.
Insurgents have been present in the town since 2017 and it had become a key stronghold for the militants, according to Rwandan army spokesman Ronald Rwivanga. "Recapturing Mocimboa da Praia is a big boost for our forces as it was our target to cut their links with those that supply them with weapons and food," Rwivanga told Argus. "We have captured more than three towns from the insurgents since we joined Mozambique forces last month, including Awasse, and we will continue with security operations until we completely pacify areas around Cabo Delgado," he said.
Recapturing Mocimboa da Praia could be a "gamechanger" for TotalEnergies' stalled $20bn LNG project, according to Dickens Kamugisha, chief executive of the Africa Institute of Energy Governance. "Mozambique could have TotalEnergies resume work at its LNG project if the security situation improves before the end of the year," he said.
