A group of 23 Islamic organizations in Mozambique published today a manifesto in Notícias, the country's main daily newspaper, in which they repudiate the recent armed attacks in Nampula, which resulted in the death of an Italian Catholic missionary.

"The Muslim communities of Mozambique vehemently repudiate these acts and urge the Government to take additional and urgent measures with a view to stopping this evil once and for all," reads the repudiation manifestation.

At issue is the September 6th attack by an unknown armed group on Chipene, in the north of the country.

The attackers are suspected to be from Cabo Delgado and have crossed the Lúrio River, fleeing the armed offensive in that province.

The insurgency that has been raging for five years in the region and has led to the suspension of gas projects, the largest private investment in Africa, has been linked at various times to actions of Islamic extremism.

But the organizations signing today's manifesto distance the violence from any beliefs, as the Islamic majority in Cabo Delgado has stressed since the beginning of the conflict.

"Any acts of violence are incompatible with the principles of human coexistence and violate the ideals that have always guided the cultural and religious diversity of the various communities" of Mozambique, they point out.

The Secretary of State of Nampula, Mety Gondola, said on Thursday that the authorities have reinforced security in the face of new attacks in the far north of that Mozambican province, assuring that institutions are functioning in the affected areas. (Lusa/Impala)