The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, said yesterday that restoring peace and rebuilding public buildings in areas affected by rebel incursions in Cabo Delgado are priorities, even though there are still "isolated pockets" of attacks.

"Although there are still isolated outbreaks of terrorist attacks, there is a great effort to re-establish security in the places affected," said the Mozambican head of state.

The President was speaking during the central ceremonies of the National Heroes Day celebrations, which took place this Friday.

According to Filipe Nyusi, in addition to efforts to stabilize the areas affected by the insurgency, the Mozambican authorities are working hard to keep to the timetable for rebuilding public buildings devastated by the rebels.

"We have been gradually rebuilding service buildings and other socio-economic infrastructure, such as energy, water, health, communications and access roads," said Nyusi.

Although he classifies the operational results of the government forces on the ground as positive, Filipe Nyusi reiterated that it cannot be considered that the terrorist threat has been extinguished.

"We are not saying that terrorism is over," said the head of the Mozambican state, quoted by Lusa, highlighting the efforts of the government forces fighting the rebels on the ground.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for five years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.