The Mozambican government has announced on Thursday, April 24 that the last insurgent training camps in the northern province of Cabo Delgado have been seized, marking what has been described as the official end of a prolonged conflict. The declaration was made following a sustained military effort which has been ongoing since militant activity, linked to the DAESH group, first erupted in the region in 2017.
Credit for the success was attributed to regional cooperation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique, with troops from several member states having been deployed. It was noted by Chief of Defence Intelligence Ricardo Macuvele that Zambia had played a significant role in reclaiming territory from the rebels, with this support acknowledged during his diplomatic visit to Lusaka. The capture of the final camps has been presented as a decisive turning point in restoring control to the resource-rich province.
Despite the recent military gains, the region’s stability remains crucial for the future of its energy sector. Operations by foreign companies, such as TotalEnergies, had been suspended following deadly attacks. With an estimated 5,800 lives lost and major investments halted, authorities now express hope that peace and order will facilitate the resumption of development projects, particularly those involving offshore natural gas reserves.