Jean-Yves Le Drian expected in Mozambique to discuss economy and terrorism

Jean-Yves Le Drian must, in Maputo, talk about economics but above all terrorism, because of the shebabs which prevail in the province of Cabo Delgado (illustration image) AFP / Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt

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The French Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected this Saturday, February 22, in Mozambique. It should be about politics, economics, but also jihadism.

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Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is traveling in the Indian Ocean, seeks to strengthen relations with Maputo. In the capital of Mozambique, the red carpet is not often rolled out for French foreign ministers. The last visit of a French diplomacy chief dates back to 2002.

This does not prevent Mozambique from welcoming French investors. Starting with the giant Total, which is building in the North, one of the most important natural gas liquefaction sites in Africa. Mozambique's offshore gas reserves are among the largest in the world.

But there is a catch. Since 2017, jihadists have multiplied attacks in the gas province of Cabo Delgado. These shebabs are in contact, not with the Somali shebabs, with the Islamic State group. Seen from Paris, this is worrying. And Jean-Yves Le Drian should, in principle, broach the subject with his Mozambican counterpart and President Filipe Nyusi.

France and Mozambique should therefore discuss possible security cooperation. According to a good source, it will be a question between Paris and Maputo, among others, of exchanges of information.

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  • Terrorism
  • mozambique
  • Jean-Yves Le Drian
  • France

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