The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) yesterday announced a ban on the use of pyrotechnic material during the New Year in Cabo Delgado, a province that has been facing an armed insurgency for five years.

"The use and sale of pyrotechnic objects is prohibited," Eugénia Nhamussua, from the PRM's communication and image department in Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country, told the media in Pemba.

According to the source quoted by Lusa, the measure is aimed at preventing incidents, at a time when government forces are continuing operations to restore stability in various areas in the face of incursions by armed groups that have been terrorizing the communities for five years.

"If there is any insistence on buying or attempting to use this material, we will be there," added Eugénia Nhamussua.

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