The Denis Hurley Peace Institute, an NGO that is part of the South African Cathholic Bishops’ Conference, regularly compiles reports on Northern Mozambique from its sources in Pemba, Mozambique. We co-publish, with the DHPI, those reports here.
COUNTRY UPDATE: 20 AUGUST 2020
Johan Viljoen
Attacks on the Church continue. On Sunday 16 August, during a press conference announcing the electrification of government buildings in rural areas, President Nyusi criticized foreigners living in Cabo Delgado, who were undermining security in the name of protecting human rights. Although nobody was mentioned by name, it was followed up almost immediately by a Facebook post by Gustavo Mavie, widely circulated, saying that the Bishop had a political agenda, and accusing him of providing support to insurgents – see https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10223280252014527&id=1231517071
Civil society and human rights activists reacted swiftly. Social media commentator Elvino Dias, in an article titled “Please don’t kill our Bishop” pointed out that the killing of Professor Gilles Cistac was also preceded by similar attacks on social media by an individual calling himself “Kalado Kalashinicov”, before the Professor was assassinated by death squads.
An online petition calling for tolerance and freedom of speech was launched – see https://www.change.org/p/governo-falta-de-liberdade-de-express%C3%A3o-712b0aff-88e4-4150-9e0e-a2d7bf691774 .
But the strongest sign of support came from the Vatican. In the words of Bishop Luiz Fernando:
“Today, August 19, 2020, at 11:29′, to my surprise and joy, I received a phone call from His Holiness Pope Francis who gave me great comfort. He said that he is very close to the Bishop and all the people of Cabo Delgado and is following the situation in our Province with great concern and has been praying for us.
He also said that the bishop should tell him if there is anything else he can do. I thanked him very much for this gesture and for mentioning during the Urbi et Orbi blessing that he pronounced on Easter Day, April 12, the humanitarian crisis that the Province of Cabo Delgado is experiencing. I told him that after his mention of Cabo Delgado, there was much more interest from everyone (countries, dioceses from various parts of the world, religious congregations, international organizations, individuals) both from inside and outside of Mozambique, and that from then on Cabo Delgado returned to the map because it seemed that it was no longer there. He said: “Very good!”
I spoke about the difficult situation of Mocímboa da Praia which is currently being taken over by the insurgents and that two religious of the Congregation of Saint Joseph de Chamberry, who work there, have been without contact with the Diocese for a week, to which the Pope responded: “How sad! He promised to pray for that intention too.
The Holy Father said that he remembered very well his visit to Mozambique in 2019 and that he was already concerned about Cabo Delgado at that time. He asked that whatever we need, we can refer to Cardinal Czerny, of the Dicastery of Human and Integral Development.
I assured him of our closeness to him, Pope Francis, and stated that we pray for him every day. Finally, he said that he is with us and encouraged us: Adelante!, which means Forward!, Continue! To conclude our conversation, he sent his apostolic blessing to all the people of Cabo Delgado and Mozambique”.
The situation in Mocimboa da Praia remains uncertain. Telecommunications with the outside world have still not been restored. But reports emerged at the beginning of the week of construction workers who were taken to Mocimboa to assess damage. They found that the civilian population had mostly fled and that the town has been abandoned, with the exception of groups of armed, uniformed militias, and white businessmen of undisclosed nationalities. They were told that they had nothing to worry about, and would not be attacked.
