The administrative post of Mucojo, in the Macomia district of Cabo Delgado, has been under terrorist control since Sunday, according to reports from the population, who are cohabiting with the insurgents.

A source quoted by RTP Africa said that the terrorists have reassured the population, explaining that their aim is to confront the military.

However, residents are worried because terrorists have used the same explanation on other occasions.

In recent weeks Mucojo has been the scene of several attacks. Information obtained this week indicated that Mozambican troops had abandoned their combat posts, fearing new clashes.

Before the occupation, they allegedly sent a letter to the Defense and Security Forces on January 18 to vacate the site. "Otherwise they would suffer heavy blows," according to a Macomia source quoted by the portal.

Despite the alert about the takeover of the town, part of the population remains in Mucojo and vehicles circulate almost normally, according to local reports.

"I think the government should tighten the siege from Macomia to Mucojo. Cars are still moving, people are still there, that's strange. Maybe the insurgents are living with us here, in the Macomia headquarters," lamented a community leader from the district headquarters, who also welcomed a family of seven fleeing the town.