Mozambique President links Cabo Delgado terrorism to gas discovery

President Daniel Chapo has suggested a connection between the emergence of terrorism in Cabo Delgado and the discovery of significant natural gas reserves in the region. Speaking at the 12th Tana Forum in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Chapo noted that gas reserves were discovered in 2016, followed by the onset of terrorism in 2017. He argued that the temporal proximity between these events is too significant to be a mere coincidence.

Chapo advocated for increased cooperation among African nations and multilateralism to protect natural resources from geopolitical rivalries surrounding strategic minerals, gas, and oil. He also called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council to ensure permanent representation and veto rights for Africa, emphasizing that the continent's current lack of influence limits its ability to participate in international peace and security decisions.