Mozambique battles to overcome insurgency
An Islamic State affiliate has emerged as a serious threat to the gas projects in Cabo Delgado, but the authorities remain firmly in control
A mysterious insurgency that emerged in 2017 in Mozambique’s gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado has worsened over the last year and is now claimed as an affiliate by Islamic State. The brunt of the impact is being felt by the local population, who risk being abducted or even beheaded in attacks on villages and the province’s roads. But is also hitting people’s livelihoods and progress on two LNG projects that the country hopes will transform its economy. Over the last month, problems have been compounded by serious flooding that has washed away two bridges on the main road between Pemba, the provincial capital, and the site shared by the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG and the Total-led Mozambique

Also in this section
21 February 2025
While large-scale planned LNG schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have faced fresh problems, FLNG projects are stepping into that space
20 February 2025
Greater social mobility means increased global demand for refined fuels and petrochemical products, with Asia leading the way in the expansion of refining capacity
19 February 2025
The EU would do well to ease its gas storage requirements to avoid heavy purchase costs this summer, with the targets having created market distortion while giving sellers a significant advantage over buyers
18 February 2025
Deliveries to China decline by around 1m b/d from move to curb crude exports to Shandong port, putting Iran under further economic pressure