Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday called on the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR - the Mozambican equivalent of the riot police) to reinforce its strategies against the extreme violence carried out by Islamic terrorists in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

According to the president, who was speaking during the inauguration of the UIR headquarters in Cabo Delgado, "The riot police must continue to be the pride of excellence of the PRM, the pride of Mozambicans. High patriotism, integrity, discipline, high standards of professionalism are required in this unit, values that are perpetuated as a culture, which is why they earn the respect and admiration of their colleagues and of society as a whole," he said.

The provincial headquarters - made up of three barracks, eight residences for officers, four residences for generals and various other facilities, including a shooting range - occupies an area of around 160 hectares and its construction cost 180 million meticais (2.8 million dollars at the current exchange rate).

Nyusi explained that this is the first barracks built by this force since the country's independence from Portuguese rule.

"It's a case of saying that it's worth doing things well, even if it takes time," he said. "This is an invisible achievement, but one that is measured by the expected results. It is with great pride and a sense of mission that we inaugurate and hand over to the Mozambican Police (PRM) the barracks of the 10th sub-unit of the UIR." (Text: AIM)