The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, pointed out that the terrorism that has been affecting the province of Cabo Delgado for almost six years is the main obstacle to the country's development. Even so, he welcomed the involvement of young people in fighting it.

Speaking in the city of Chimoio, in the central province of Manica, at the 9th National Gala of the Young Creative Award, the head of state said that "in our country, terrorism has become one of the main obstacles to development. That's why, in particular, we salute the young people who are in the ranks of the Defense and Security Forces".

"The average age of those on the ground is 30-something, but they are protecting us so that terrorism doesn't spread, so that we can undertake, innovate and implement projects. This is fundamental, but they are young people who are defending this," he stressed, recognizing that they are taking part in this fight "with great bravery, tenacity and great sacrifice," said Nyusi, quoted by Lusa, noting that "they are fighting terrorism, inflicting heavy defeats on the enemy, allowing other young people to participate in the productive sectors for the sake of development."

On the ground in Cabo Delgado, the Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique have been fighting terrorism - in attacks that have been taking place since October 2017 and which have restricted the progress of natural gas production projects in the region - since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

In his speech, the head of state saluted Mozambican youth "in general, for their level of convergence and patriotic sense, placing themselves at the forefront in facing these challenges".

"And I always say that first we have to have Mozambique in our hearts. Mozambique, Mozambique, Mozambique," he appealed, warning: "This country is envied, but it has owners. The owners are you".

The President of the Republic stressed that "we are friends of friends, we are neighbors of neighbors. But our first priority is here. When there is a Mozambican suffering, your first priority is this Mozambican, so you won't be able to support the other if you don't exist (...) And we have to like ourselves".

Regarding the National Gala of the Young Creative Award, Filipe Nyusi explained that it allows "the strength, intelligence and creativity of young people to be praised as driving factors for development" in the country.

This year's edition had 2,740 contestants from all over the country, with entrepreneurial ideas and projects in various sectors.

"If we want to be better, we have to do it. And you are the ones who have to do it, with these ideas, and these ideas from everyone, they don't have to be from that party or that province. It won't be possible to think alike, but we have to think for Mozambique, so that we can build this country," he appealed, challenging young people to "capitalize" on the post-pandemic economic recovery.