The Minister of National Defense, Cristóvão Chume says that there are more and more advances in the fight against terrorism in the north of the country, especially in the provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado, but there must be caution in the return of the populations.

"The situation is evolving positively in Cabo Delgado, and I can say with great certainty that in Niassa as well. Naturally, we still have challenges to provide that in those districts there are zero incidents linked to terrorism. The truth is that it will take us some time to have total peace in Cabo Delgado province," said Cristóvão Chume on Wednesday.

Quoted by "O País", the Minister of National Defense said that with the recovery of these areas, the Government, through its various institutions, will have to create conditions for the return of populations to their areas of origin, with emphasis on the restoration of public order and tranquility, construction of access roads, hospitals, schools and other institutions of basic services.

"We can assure you that the National Defense Forces, regional force in State of Alert of SADC and Rwanda are doing everything so that we can put terrorism out of the Mozambican territory," the minister said, adding that "the objective of this force is to guarantee the return of normal life of the populations to the recovered areas."

"For now, we will listen to the message of the SDS. When they say that there are still no conditions for the return, we will comply, as happened in Palma. In relation to Mocímboa da Praia there is still work to be done so that there are conditions for the return of the populations," he concluded.

Cristóvão Chume, on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of 12 cadres for different specialties at the Ministry of National Defense.