Mozambique's new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday before a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over the fiercely disputed election results.&nbsp;
Chapo, 48, extends his Frelimo party's 50-year rule of the gas-rich African nation amid claims by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane that the vote was rigged, which sparked unrest that an NGO says has left more than 300 dead.
Taking the oath, Chapo vowed "to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people".
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But on the eve of the inauguration, Mondlane threatened to "paralyse" the new government with daily demonstrations following his earlier calls for a national strike in the days before the ceremony.
Mondlane, 50, who is popular with the youth, maintains the October 9 polls were rigged in favour of the Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975.
"This regime does not want peace," Mondlane said in an address on Facebook Tuesday, adding that his communications team was met with bullets on the streets this week.
"We'll protest every single day. If it means paralysing the country for the entire term, we will paralyse it for the entire term."
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Chapo called for stability on Monday, telling journalists at the national assembly "We can continue to work and together, united... to develop our country".
International observers have said the election was marred by irregularities, while the EU mission condemned what it called the "unjustified alteration of election results".
Neighbouring South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the inauguration, while former colonial ruler Portugal sent Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.
Ahead of the ceremony, Maputo-based political and security risk analyst Johann Smith told AFP that an absence of a large number of foreign heads of state "sends a strong message".
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"Even from a regional point of view, there is a hesitancy to acknowledge or recognise that Chapo won the election," Smith said.&nbsp;
Security forces blocked roads throughout Maputo and around Independence Square, where the swearing-in was held.&nbsp;
The extent of the unrest from now on "depends on how Chapo will tackle the crisis", analyst Borges Nhamirre told AFP.&nbsp;
The inauguration of parliamentary lawmakers on Monday was held amid relative calm.&nbsp;
The streets were deserted Monday, with most shops closed either in protest against the ceremony or out of fear of violence, while military police surrounded the parliament building and police blocked main roads.&nbsp;
Still, at least six people were killed in the Inhambane and Zambezia regions north of the capital, according to local civil society group Plataforma Decide.
<h2>Possible concessions</h2>
Unrest since the election has claimed more than 300 lives, according to the group's tally, with security forces accused of using excessive force against demonstrators. Police officers have also died, according to the authorities.&nbsp;
Chapo, who is expected to announce his new government this week, could make concessions by appointing opposition members to ministerial posts to quell the unrest, said Eric Morier-Genoud, an African history professor at Queen's University Belfast.&nbsp;
There have also been calls for dialogue but Mondlane has been excluded from talks that Chapo and outgoing president Filipe Nyusi opened with the leaders of the main political parties.&nbsp;
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Chapo has repeatedly said however that he would include Mondlane in talks.
Mondlane, who returned to Mozambique last week after going into hiding abroad following the October 19 assassination of his lawyer, has said he was ready for talks.&nbsp;
"I'm here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate... I'm here," he said.
According to official results, Chapo won 65 per cent of the presidential vote, compared to 24 per cent for Mondlane.
However the opposition leader claims that he won 53 per cent and that Mozambique's election institutions manipulated the results.
Frelimo parliamentarians also dominate the 250-seat national assembly with 171 seats compared to the Podemos party's 43.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: Taking the oath, Chapo vowed "to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people".

Mozambique's new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday before a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over the fiercely disputed election results. Chapo, 48, extends his Frelimo party's 50-year rule of the gas-rich African nation amid claims by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane that the vote was rigged, which sparked unrest that an NGO says has left more than 300 dead. Taking the oath, Chapo vowed "to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people". Also read: Hamas making false claims about Israeli demands to avoid finalising ceasefire deal, says official: Report But on the eve of the inauguration, Mondlane threatened to "paralyse" the new government with daily demonstrations following his earlier calls for a national strike in the days before the ceremony. Mondlane, 50, who is popular with the youth, maintains the October 9 polls were rigged in favour of the Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975. "This regime does not want peace," Mondlane said in an address on Facebook Tuesday, adding that his communications team was met with bullets on the streets this week. "We'll protest every single day. If it means paralysing the country for the entire term, we will paralyse it for the entire term." Also read: Assembly elections: Arvind Kejriwal files nomination from New Delhi constituency Chapo called for stability on Monday, telling journalists at the national assembly "We can continue to work and together, united... to develop our country". International observers have said the election was marred by irregularities, while the EU mission condemned what it called the "unjustified alteration of election results". Neighbouring South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the inauguration, while former colonial ruler Portugal sent Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel. Ahead of the ceremony, Maputo-based political and security risk analyst Johann Smith told AFP that an absence of a large number of foreign heads of state "sends a strong message". Also read: Why Mark Zuckerberg firing employees in Meta ahead of FY2025? "Even from a regional point of view, there is a hesitancy to acknowledge or recognise that Chapo won the election," Smith said. Security forces blocked roads throughout Maputo and around Independence Square, where the swearing-in was held. The extent of the unrest from now on "depends on how Chapo will tackle the crisis", analyst Borges Nhamirre told AFP. The inauguration of parliamentary lawmakers on Monday was held amid relative calm. The streets were deserted Monday, with most shops closed either in protest against the ceremony or out of fear of violence, while military police surrounded the parliament building and police blocked main roads. Still, at least six people were killed in the Inhambane and Zambezia regions north of the capital, according to local civil society group Plataforma Decide. Possible concessions Unrest since the election has claimed more than 300 lives, according to the group's tally, with security forces accused of using excessive force against demonstrators. Police officers have also died, according to the authorities. Chapo, who is expected to announce his new government this week, could make concessions by appointing opposition members to ministerial posts to quell the unrest, said Eric Morier-Genoud, an African history professor at Queen's University Belfast. There have also been calls for dialogue but Mondlane has been excluded from talks that Chapo and outgoing president Filipe Nyusi opened with the leaders of the main political parties. Also read: Biden administration finalizes crackdown on Chinese vehicles in US Chapo has repeatedly said however that he would include Mondlane in talks. Mondlane, who returned to Mozambique last week after going into hiding abroad following the October 19 assassination of his lawyer, has said he was ready for talks. "I'm here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate... I'm here," he said. According to official results, Chapo won 65 per cent of the presidential vote, compared to 24 per cent for Mondlane. However the opposition leader claims that he won 53 per cent and that Mozambique's election institutions manipulated the results. Frelimo parliamentarians also dominate the 250-seat national assembly with 171 seats compared to the Podemos party's 43. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Mozambique's Daniel Chapo sworn in as new president post-election unrest

French energy giant Total has shut its operations and withdrawn all staff from a site in northern Mozambique following last week's deadly jihadist attack in the area, security sources said Friday.

"Total has gone," a security source in Maputo told AFP, adding that "it will be hard to persuade them to return" this year.

And a military source added, "all the facilities are abandoned.

"Total made a decision to evacuate all of its staff", after drone surveillance showed insurgents were in areas "very close" to the gas plant in Afungi.

Another source confirmed the were reports that insurgents were not far from the site.

Afungi peninsula is only 10 kilometres (six miles) from the town of Palma, which came under attack more than a week ago, resulting in the death of dozens of people, including at least two expatriate workers.&nbsp;

The brazen assault on March 24 was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years during which more than 2,600 people have died.&nbsp;

Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of violent attacks near its compound.

But last week's raid is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

Many&nbsp;civilian survivors fled their homes flocking towards the heavily secured gas plant.

- 'Security compromised' -

An estimated 15,000 people have gathered near the site, while more are still arriving and "security is compromised", said another source.

The humanitarian "situation continues to deteriorate," added the source&nbsp;

Total's clear-out came as Afungi army commander Chongo Vidigal declared on Thursday the gas project was "protected".

"We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said.&nbsp;

Total did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Most means of communication were cut after the Palma onslaught began.

Thousands of troops have been deployed to Cabo Delgado, but Mozambique's ability to fight the insurgency has long been questioned, with analysts pointing to poor training and lack of equipment.&nbsp;

Government security forces are also bolstered by a South African private military company, Dyck Advisory Group (DAG).

Total and its partners planned to invest $20 billion in the project, the largest amount ever for a project in Africa.

In February, &nbsp;Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanne insisted that the project, which it inherited from the US energy firm Anadarko, was still on track to begin operations in 2024.

He said this having reached agreement with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to set up a 25-kilometre (15-mile) radius secure zone around the site.

But last week the jihadists attacked, just 10 kilometres from the compound and reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in the latest rampage.

Hundreds, including many foreign workers, have been evacuated by air and sea while thousands of locals walked to safety.

The UN said it has recorded at least 9,100 people internally displaced by the latest violence.

The violence has uprooted nearly 700,000 people from their homes since October 2017.

Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate.

The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the Palma attack.

French energy giant Total has shut its operations and withdrawn all staff from a site in northern Mozambique following last week's deadly jihadist attack in the area, security sources said Friday.

French energy giant Total has shut its operations and withdrawn all staff from a site in northern Mozambique following last week's deadly jihadist attack in the area, security sources said Friday. "Total has gone," a security source in Maputo told AFP, adding that "it will be hard to persuade them to return" this year. And a military source added, "all the facilities are abandoned. "Total made a decision to evacuate all of its staff", after drone surveillance showed insurgents were in areas "very close" to the gas plant in Afungi. Another source confirmed the were reports that insurgents were not far from the site. Afungi peninsula is only 10 kilometres (six miles) from the town of Palma, which came under attack more than a week ago, resulting in the death of dozens of people, including at least two expatriate workers. The brazen assault on March 24 was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years during which more than 2,600 people have died. Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of violent attacks near its compound. But last week's raid is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017. Many civilian survivors fled their homes flocking towards the heavily secured gas plant. - 'Security compromised' - An estimated 15,000 people have gathered near the site, while more are still arriving and "security is compromised", said another source. The humanitarian "situation continues to deteriorate," added the source Total's clear-out came as Afungi army commander Chongo Vidigal declared on Thursday the gas project was "protected". "We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said. Total did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Most means of communication were cut after the Palma onslaught began. Thousands of troops have been deployed to Cabo Delgado, but Mozambique's ability to fight the insurgency has long been questioned, with analysts pointing to poor training and lack of equipment. Government security forces are also bolstered by a South African private military company, Dyck Advisory Group (DAG). Total and its partners planned to invest $20 billion in the project, the largest amount ever for a project in Africa. In February, Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanne insisted that the project, which it inherited from the US energy firm Anadarko, was still on track to begin operations in 2024. He said this having reached agreement with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to set up a 25-kilometre (15-mile) radius secure zone around the site. But last week the jihadists attacked, just 10 kilometres from the compound and reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in the latest rampage. Hundreds, including many foreign workers, have been evacuated by air and sea while thousands of locals walked to safety. The UN said it has recorded at least 9,100 people internally displaced by the latest violence. The violence has uprooted nearly 700,000 people from their homes since October 2017. Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate. The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the Palma attack.

France's Total shuts gas plant after Mozambique attacks, sources say

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province.

Scores of relatives huddled outside the port, straining to spot family members disembarking from boats arriving from Palma, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) away.

More than 8,000 were displaced, dozens killed and many more are still missing following a coordinated attack on the town of Palma on March 24.

The jihadists reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in a rampage that forced thousands to seek safety in surrounding forests.

The attack is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

On fishing boats or on foot, thousands of survivors fled the city of 75,000 inhabitants -- more than 40,000 of whom had already been displaced from their original homes and were living in Palma.

Hundreds more were still arriving in Pemba, the UN said on Thursday.

There is "no sense of normalcy returning, unfortunately," the UN refugee agency's Juliana Ghazi told AFP in Johannesburg from Pemba on Thursday.

A woman wearing a blue denim pinafore and pink face mask sat on the ground at the port, with a vacant stare, one hand clutching a fence, waiting for her son.

Another woman consoled her as she broke down in sobs.

A ferry carrying almost 1,200 passengers, mainly women and children, had docked at the port overnight.

The most vulnerable escapees including unaccompanied and injured children are being flown to the city -- the UN said nearly half of the 8,166 people who are registered as displaced are children.

'Utmost concern'

The attack launched last Wednesday was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years, killing more than 2,689 and uprooting&nbsp;nearly 700,000.

A South African man was among those killed when a convoy of cars trying to evacuate survivors from a hotel was ambushed, his family said.

Britain's Times newspaper on Thursday reported that a Briton also died in the ambush and that his remains had been handed to the Special Air Services rescue team.

The defence ministry could not confirm or deny the death.

The African Union has called for urgent and coordinated international action to jointly address the "urgent threat to regional and continental peace and security". &nbsp;

In a statement, AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "utmost concern" at the presence of international extremist groups in southern Africa, calling for an "urgent and coordinated regional and international action".

The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare on Wednesday to discuss the violence.

"This has heightened insecurity in the area, leading to a serious humanitarian crisis," the SADC chair, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said in a statement on Thursday.

"It is our fervent hope that the perpetrators will be quickly arrested and brought to justice."&nbsp;

But&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday played down the attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project.

French oil giant Total and other international companies have invested in a multi-billion-dollar gas exploration scheme off the Afungi peninsula, around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from Palma.

Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of jihadist attacks near its compound.

In Afungi, army commander Chongo Vidigal said the gas project was "protected".

"We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said. &nbsp;

The aid-dependent country has sent troops to Palma to try and recapture the town.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Mozambique's former colonial master Portugal announced plans to send around 60 troops to back them up. &nbsp;

Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate.

The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province.

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province. Scores of relatives huddled outside the port, straining to spot family members disembarking from boats arriving from Palma, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) away. More than 8,000 were displaced, dozens killed and many more are still missing following a coordinated attack on the town of Palma on March 24. The jihadists reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in a rampage that forced thousands to seek safety in surrounding forests. The attack is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017. On fishing boats or on foot, thousands of survivors fled the city of 75,000 inhabitants -- more than 40,000 of whom had already been displaced from their original homes and were living in Palma. Hundreds more were still arriving in Pemba, the UN said on Thursday. There is "no sense of normalcy returning, unfortunately," the UN refugee agency's Juliana Ghazi told AFP in Johannesburg from Pemba on Thursday. A woman wearing a blue denim pinafore and pink face mask sat on the ground at the port, with a vacant stare, one hand clutching a fence, waiting for her son. Another woman consoled her as she broke down in sobs. A ferry carrying almost 1,200 passengers, mainly women and children, had docked at the port overnight. The most vulnerable escapees including unaccompanied and injured children are being flown to the city -- the UN said nearly half of the 8,166 people who are registered as displaced are children. 'Utmost concern' The attack launched last Wednesday was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years, killing more than 2,689 and uprooting nearly 700,000. A South African man was among those killed when a convoy of cars trying to evacuate survivors from a hotel was ambushed, his family said. Britain's Times newspaper on Thursday reported that a Briton also died in the ambush and that his remains had been handed to the Special Air Services rescue team. The defence ministry could not confirm or deny the death. The African Union has called for urgent and coordinated international action to jointly address the "urgent threat to regional and continental peace and security". In a statement, AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "utmost concern" at the presence of international extremist groups in southern Africa, calling for an "urgent and coordinated regional and international action". The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare on Wednesday to discuss the violence. "This has heightened insecurity in the area, leading to a serious humanitarian crisis," the SADC chair, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said in a statement on Thursday. "It is our fervent hope that the perpetrators will be quickly arrested and brought to justice." But Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday played down the attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project. French oil giant Total and other international companies have invested in a multi-billion-dollar gas exploration scheme off the Afungi peninsula, around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from Palma. Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of jihadist attacks near its compound. In Afungi, army commander Chongo Vidigal said the gas project was "protected". "We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said. The aid-dependent country has sent troops to Palma to try and recapture the town. On Tuesday, Mozambique's former colonial master Portugal announced plans to send around 60 troops to back them up. Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate. The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

Survivors from Mozambique attack stream into Pemba safe haven

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded.

Armed militants raided the coastal town on March 24, ransacking buildings and beheading residents as thousands fled into surrounding forest.

Dozens have been killed and many more are still missing in a coordinated attack seen as the biggest escalation of an Islamist insurgency that has battered Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

"Many more people remain displaced inside of Palma, including thousands who have reportedly gathered near the Afungi complex, where the security situation remains volatile," the UN agency for humanitarian assistance OCHA said.&nbsp;

Up to 10,000 are estimated to be around the Afungi peninsula gas site, according to sources involved.&nbsp;

The fighting had already displaced nearly 700,000 people in the gas-rich province, more than 43,000 of which were staying in Palma before the attack.

Hundreds more were still seeking to leave Palma, while thousands were making their way out by foot, boat and road, the UN said.

Palma is around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from a multi-billion-dollar liquified natural gas (LNG) project led by French firm Total and involving other international companies.

But President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday downplayed the latest attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project.

"Let us not lose focus, let us not be disturbed," Nyusi told reporters at an event in the capital Maputo.

The army said it had sent more troops to Palma in a bid to recapture the town, with local TV showing soldiers deploying.

"We are still disembarking troops. We have not declared the end of our intervention," mission commander Chongo Vidigal said.

Regional bloc the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare to discuss the violence. &nbsp;

Total had already suspended operations and evacuated some staff in late December after jihadists launched a series of raids near its compound.

It had just announced plans to progressively resume work hours before the militants attacked Palma.

'In shock'&nbsp;

Most displaced residents arrived at the LNG site on the Afungi peninsula hungry, dehydrated and "in shock" after hiding in the bush for days, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Some bore life-threatening injuries, MSF emergency coordinator Sylvie Kaczmarczyk said.

"We have cared for one baby with a bullet wound," she said.

Pregnant women were arriving in "terrible condition", she added, while others clutched newly-born babies delivered in the bush.

The most vulnerable escapees, including unaccompanied and injured children, have been flown into the city by the UN. Nearly half of the 8,166 registered displaced are children, the UN said.

Hundreds of others used their own means, streaming into surrounding districts on fishing boats, buses and on foot.&nbsp;

Outside the port of Pemba, residents with family in Palma anxiously scoured incoming survivors for familiar faces.

They milled around the port's barbed-wire walls and sat against nearby buildings.

"We don't know if our relatives are on the boats that are coming or not, but we are here, we are not losing hope," Muza Momadi told AFP as she waited for her mother and brother.

"The number of people displaced... will continue to increase over the coming days," said the UN Refugee agency's Margarida Loureiro in Pemba, adding some are reportedly trying to cross the border into Tanzania.

&nbsp;Waiting for relatives

So far the "flow of arrivals is constant but not massive," said an unnamed aid agency official coordinating humanitarian assistance in Nandage and Mueda, respectively over 50 and 150 kilometres (30-90 miles) from Palma.

Helicopters carrying humanitarian personnel landed at Pemba airport, alongside a small plane flying troops back from Palma, said an AFP photographer at the scene.

One soldier leaned on a stick as he limped barefoot across the tarmac, trouser leg rolled up above the knee.

The government has not yet disclosed military casualties.

Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province in a bid to establish a caliphate.

The insurgents are affiliated to the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

Their bloody campaign has claimed at least 2,600 lives, half of them civilians -- a figure expected to rise significantly following the latest assault.

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded.

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded. Armed militants raided the coastal town on March 24, ransacking buildings and beheading residents as thousands fled into surrounding forest. Dozens have been killed and many more are still missing in a coordinated attack seen as the biggest escalation of an Islamist insurgency that has battered Cabo Delgado province since 2017. "Many more people remain displaced inside of Palma, including thousands who have reportedly gathered near the Afungi complex, where the security situation remains volatile," the UN agency for humanitarian assistance OCHA said. Up to 10,000 are estimated to be around the Afungi peninsula gas site, according to sources involved. The fighting had already displaced nearly 700,000 people in the gas-rich province, more than 43,000 of which were staying in Palma before the attack. Hundreds more were still seeking to leave Palma, while thousands were making their way out by foot, boat and road, the UN said. Palma is around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from a multi-billion-dollar liquified natural gas (LNG) project led by French firm Total and involving other international companies. But President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday downplayed the latest attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project. "Let us not lose focus, let us not be disturbed," Nyusi told reporters at an event in the capital Maputo. The army said it had sent more troops to Palma in a bid to recapture the town, with local TV showing soldiers deploying. "We are still disembarking troops. We have not declared the end of our intervention," mission commander Chongo Vidigal said. Regional bloc the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare to discuss the violence. Total had already suspended operations and evacuated some staff in late December after jihadists launched a series of raids near its compound. It had just announced plans to progressively resume work hours before the militants attacked Palma. 'In shock' Most displaced residents arrived at the LNG site on the Afungi peninsula hungry, dehydrated and "in shock" after hiding in the bush for days, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Some bore life-threatening injuries, MSF emergency coordinator Sylvie Kaczmarczyk said. "We have cared for one baby with a bullet wound," she said. Pregnant women were arriving in "terrible condition", she added, while others clutched newly-born babies delivered in the bush. The most vulnerable escapees, including unaccompanied and injured children, have been flown into the city by the UN. Nearly half of the 8,166 registered displaced are children, the UN said. Hundreds of others used their own means, streaming into surrounding districts on fishing boats, buses and on foot. Outside the port of Pemba, residents with family in Palma anxiously scoured incoming survivors for familiar faces. They milled around the port's barbed-wire walls and sat against nearby buildings. "We don't know if our relatives are on the boats that are coming or not, but we are here, we are not losing hope," Muza Momadi told AFP as she waited for her mother and brother. "The number of people displaced... will continue to increase over the coming days," said the UN Refugee agency's Margarida Loureiro in Pemba, adding some are reportedly trying to cross the border into Tanzania. Waiting for relatives So far the "flow of arrivals is constant but not massive," said an unnamed aid agency official coordinating humanitarian assistance in Nandage and Mueda, respectively over 50 and 150 kilometres (30-90 miles) from Palma. Helicopters carrying humanitarian personnel landed at Pemba airport, alongside a small plane flying troops back from Palma, said an AFP photographer at the scene. One soldier leaned on a stick as he limped barefoot across the tarmac, trouser leg rolled up above the knee. The government has not yet disclosed military casualties. Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province in a bid to establish a caliphate. The insurgents are affiliated to the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week. Their bloody campaign has claimed at least 2,600 lives, half of them civilians -- a figure expected to rise significantly following the latest assault.

Over 8,000 Mozambique attack survivors find refuge: UN

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt.

Hundreds of other people, both local and foreigners, have been rescued from the town, next to gas projects worth $60 billion, Omar Saranga told journalists on Sunday.

"The defence and security forces registered the loss of seven lives of a group of citizens that left the Amarula hotel in a convoy that was ambushed by the terrorists," Saranga said.

A South African woman, Meryl Knox, told Reuters her son Adrian Nel had died in that ambush. Her husband and another son hid with his body in the bush until the following morning, when they were able to make it to safety in Pemba. A British contractor had also been killed, Britain`s Times newspaper said.

The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

Hundreds of people fleeing the attack are arriving by boat in the port city of Pemba, a diplomat and an aid worker said.

Saranga said the security forces were seeking to "eliminate some pockets of resistance" after spending the past three days focusing mainly on rescuing local and foreign citizens. It has not specified the name of the group and there has been no claim of responsibility.

"On March 24, a group of terrorists penetrated... the headquarters of Palma village and unleashed actions that culminated with the assassination of dozens of defenceless people," he said in the most specific information yet on the number of casualties in an area where communications are poor.

Militants struck Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects worth $60 billion, on Wednesday. The government has yet to re-establish control, the diplomat and a security source directly involved in the operations to secure Palma said.

Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, as most communications with Palma were cut on Wednesday. 
Calls to officials at the foreign ministry and provincial government went unanswered or did not go through on Sunday.

The boats arriving in Pemba on Sunday carried both locals and foreigners, including employees from the gas projects, the aid official and diplomat said. One boat was carrying around 1,300 people, said the diplomat.

French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum".

The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues. 
Witnesses have described bodies in the streets of Palma, some of them beheaded. On Friday, militants ambushed a convoy of people, including foreign workers, attempting to escape a hotel.

Government-contracted helicopters were searching for more survivors on Sunday. Lionel Dyck, who runs a private security firm working with the government, said his helicopters had rescued some 120 people overall.

The exact number of people injured and killed in the four-day assault on Palma, or still unaccounted for, remained unclear. The town had previously been a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere in the province.

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt.

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt. Hundreds of other people, both local and foreigners, have been rescued from the town, next to gas projects worth $60 billion, Omar Saranga told journalists on Sunday. "The defence and security forces registered the loss of seven lives of a group of citizens that left the Amarula hotel in a convoy that was ambushed by the terrorists," Saranga said. A South African woman, Meryl Knox, told Reuters her son Adrian Nel had died in that ambush. Her husband and another son hid with his body in the bush until the following morning, when they were able to make it to safety in Pemba. A British contractor had also been killed, Britain`s Times newspaper said. The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State. Hundreds of people fleeing the attack are arriving by boat in the port city of Pemba, a diplomat and an aid worker said. Saranga said the security forces were seeking to "eliminate some pockets of resistance" after spending the past three days focusing mainly on rescuing local and foreign citizens. It has not specified the name of the group and there has been no claim of responsibility. "On March 24, a group of terrorists penetrated... the headquarters of Palma village and unleashed actions that culminated with the assassination of dozens of defenceless people," he said in the most specific information yet on the number of casualties in an area where communications are poor. Militants struck Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects worth $60 billion, on Wednesday. The government has yet to re-establish control, the diplomat and a security source directly involved in the operations to secure Palma said. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, as most communications with Palma were cut on Wednesday. Calls to officials at the foreign ministry and provincial government went unanswered or did not go through on Sunday. The boats arriving in Pemba on Sunday carried both locals and foreigners, including employees from the gas projects, the aid official and diplomat said. One boat was carrying around 1,300 people, said the diplomat. French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum". The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues. Witnesses have described bodies in the streets of Palma, some of them beheaded. On Friday, militants ambushed a convoy of people, including foreign workers, attempting to escape a hotel. Government-contracted helicopters were searching for more survivors on Sunday. Lionel Dyck, who runs a private security firm working with the government, said his helicopters had rescued some 120 people overall. The exact number of people injured and killed in the four-day assault on Palma, or still unaccounted for, remained unclear. The town had previously been a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere in the province.

Dozens killed in besieged Mozambique gas town

Fighting around the&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters.

Mozambique's government confirmed that the town, in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado and just kilometres from the perimeter of gas developments led by oil majors like Total, came under a three-pronged attack on Wednesday and security forces were working to establish order.

Palma falls within a 25-kilometre "special security area" that the French oil major had requested from the government after suspending work at the site due to security issues.

Total had just said on Wednesday, prior to the attack, that it would resume construction as this zone had been set up.

The company had no immediate comment on the impact of the attack on its operations.

Since 2017, the Cabo Delgado province has been home to a festering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

Within a few hours of Total's announcement, strategically important Palma, which hosts numerous international companies looking to cash in on one of the biggest gas finds in a decade, had been hit with its first major strike.

Mozambique's forces had not repelled the attack as of Thursday morning and fighting was ongoing, according to the sources who are in touch with Mozambique&nbsp;government and security or military officials.

The sources declined to be named because it would jeopardise their work.

"The defence and security forces are pursuing the enemy to establish security and order quickly," the government said in a statement on Thursday, adding the attack, which began around 14:15 GMT on Wednesday in three locations, had sent residents fleeing into the bush for cover.

There was no immediate information on casualties or damage caused because communications with the town had been cut, it said.

Fighting around the Mozambique town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters.

Fighting around the Mozambique town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters. Mozambique's government confirmed that the town, in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado and just kilometres from the perimeter of gas developments led by oil majors like Total, came under a three-pronged attack on Wednesday and security forces were working to establish order. Palma falls within a 25-kilometre "special security area" that the French oil major had requested from the government after suspending work at the site due to security issues. Total had just said on Wednesday, prior to the attack, that it would resume construction as this zone had been set up. The company had no immediate comment on the impact of the attack on its operations. Since 2017, the Cabo Delgado province has been home to a festering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State. Within a few hours of Total's announcement, strategically important Palma, which hosts numerous international companies looking to cash in on one of the biggest gas finds in a decade, had been hit with its first major strike. Mozambique's forces had not repelled the attack as of Thursday morning and fighting was ongoing, according to the sources who are in touch with Mozambique government and security or military officials. The sources declined to be named because it would jeopardise their work. "The defence and security forces are pursuing the enemy to establish security and order quickly," the government said in a statement on Thursday, adding the attack, which began around 14:15 GMT on Wednesday in three locations, had sent residents fleeing into the bush for cover. There was no immediate information on casualties or damage caused because communications with the town had been cut, it said.

Fighting in town near Mozambique gas hub continues for second day: Sources

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north.

A shadowy jihadist group has wreaked havoc in the northern Cabo Delgado region since 2017, targeting villages and towns in a bid to establish an Islamist caliphate.

The insurgents grew bolder this year and took control of large swathes of territory which the army has so far failed to regain.

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Militants ambushed a group of soldiers driving through the district of Muidumbe on Sunday and opened fire on the group, killing at least 25.

Two military sources only confirmed the attack in recent days on condition of anonymity.

"The terrorists let the military cars into an area of dense forest and then opened fire with heavy weapons... causing huge casualties in our forces," a senior military official told AFP on Thursday in the capital Maputo.

"We had 25 men killed and dozens more injured," he said, adding that the attackers retreated back into the forest after the assault.

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A second military official confirmed the ambush on Friday and said that attacks with that high a number of casualties have become more common.&nbsp;

"It is strange how the terrorists have accurate information about the movement of the government forces," said the official, who is based the Cabo Delgado district of Palma.&nbsp;

"Attacks like this... profoundly affect the morale of the troops," he said.

It has become increasingly difficult to communicate with Cabo Delgado as militants have destroyed several telephone lines.

Mozambique's government is also wary of bad publicity and sources are reluctant to speak to the media.

The army is still fighting to retake the key port town of Mocimboa da Praia, which the insurgents seized in August.

The town is around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of multi-billion-dollar gas exploration projects off the Afungi peninsula.

Details about the militants are sketchy. They call themselves Al-Shabab but have no known link to the group of that name operating in Somalia.&nbsp;

Last year, they pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

At least 10 of Cabo Delgado's 17 districts have been affected by the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data (ACLED) group, despite a beefed-up military presence in the area.&nbsp;

ACLED has also documented more than 2,300 deaths, at least half of them civilians.

Mozambique's government estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the unrest.&nbsp;

The United States this week vowed to help the southeast African country tackle the insurgency and called for more international cooperation to end the violence.

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north.

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north. A shadowy jihadist group has wreaked havoc in the northern Cabo Delgado region since 2017, targeting villages and towns in a bid to establish an Islamist caliphate. The insurgents grew bolder this year and took control of large swathes of territory which the army has so far failed to regain. Also read| Rockets target Eritrea as Ethiopia leader resists calls for dialogue Militants ambushed a group of soldiers driving through the district of Muidumbe on Sunday and opened fire on the group, killing at least 25. Two military sources only confirmed the attack in recent days on condition of anonymity. "The terrorists let the military cars into an area of dense forest and then opened fire with heavy weapons... causing huge casualties in our forces," a senior military official told AFP on Thursday in the capital Maputo. "We had 25 men killed and dozens more injured," he said, adding that the attackers retreated back into the forest after the assault. Also read| Ethiopian PM tells African envoys he will protect civilians in Tigray A second military official confirmed the ambush on Friday and said that attacks with that high a number of casualties have become more common. "It is strange how the terrorists have accurate information about the movement of the government forces," said the official, who is based the Cabo Delgado district of Palma. "Attacks like this... profoundly affect the morale of the troops," he said. It has become increasingly difficult to communicate with Cabo Delgado as militants have destroyed several telephone lines. Mozambique's government is also wary of bad publicity and sources are reluctant to speak to the media. The army is still fighting to retake the key port town of Mocimboa da Praia, which the insurgents seized in August. The town is around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of multi-billion-dollar gas exploration projects off the Afungi peninsula. Details about the militants are sketchy. They call themselves Al-Shabab but have no known link to the group of that name operating in Somalia. Last year, they pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. At least 10 of Cabo Delgado's 17 districts have been affected by the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) group, despite a beefed-up military presence in the area. ACLED has also documented more than 2,300 deaths, at least half of them civilians. Mozambique's government estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the unrest. The United States this week vowed to help the southeast African country tackle the insurgency and called for more international cooperation to end the violence.

Jihadists kill 25 soldiers in Mozambique's restive north