Mocímboa da Praia was liberated from the hands of terrorists almost a year ago, but destruction is still present in the village. Population returns timidly. Some of the people who have already returned are asking for better conditions.

Mocímboa da Praia was once a bastion of the insurgents who have been ravaging the province of Cabo Delgado since 2017. It was liberated last August and part of the population has returned to the district headquarters town and some villages.

But it is a timid return. Only about 600 families have returned, according to the municipality.

"We are living well, in terms of security," assures one of the residents. "The problem is that we have no drinking water. We don't have power either, there's nothing in the neighborhood."

The government says it is committed to restoring basic services to ensure a stable life for those returning home.

"The survey activities of some water supply sources are underway and we have the information that the contractor, who has already been awarded the contract, will come to do the consignment of the village's supply system," says the district director of Infrastructure, Felizardo Roque quoted by DW.

The power supply has also been restored, but residents say that reconnection to their homes is lacking.

Felizardo Roque reacts to the concern: "Right now Electricidade de Moçambique is making the connections in some villages, like Nanduadua and a part of Milamba, because the population is already returning."

Reconstruction will cost 10 million euros

The desire of the residents who have decided to return home is that all services be available so that they can educate their children, develop their activities, and relaunch their businesses.

According to the Mozambican government, the rehabilitation of state infrastructures destroyed in the districts affected by the conflict in Cabo Delgado is expected to cost over 630 million meticais, about ten million euros. Most of the amount will be allocated to Mocímboa da Praia.

Violent extremism in Cabo Delgado has so far caused about 4,000 deaths and more than 900,000 displaced people. Five district villages have been razed to the ground.

The intervention of the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces and their allies from Rwanda and the southern region of Africa have made it possible to reestablish stability even in regions considered critical.