Authorities in the province of Sofala, in central Mozambique, said on Friday that foreign owners of gas stations had left the country, following accusations that some operators in this sector are involved in the financing of terrorism.
On the 22nd, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi denounced the existence of gas station owners in Sofala province who use the business to launder money and finance terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
“There is a proliferation of fuel pumps in your province, I am not prohibiting it. But use legal methods. […]. We have information about people who use these means to subsidize terrorism”, declared the Mozambican head of state.
There are gas station owners who finance terrorism, says President of the Republic of Mozambique
Following these accusations, the Secretary of State for Sofala province, Stela Pinto, told the media that some foreign businessmen in the sector left Mozambique for unknown reasons.
“There are indications that some have fled,” Pinto said.
That leader added that the authorities are investigating the reasons that led the aforementioned businessmen to leave the country.
The Secretary of State for Sofala province warned of the risk of widespread suspicion of sponsorship of violent extremism, noting that the President of the Republic’s accusations were directed at some gas station owners and not at all operators in the sector.
“There is a tendency to generalize”, because gas stations appear “very easily” and “making a profit”.
Most businessmen, he continued, are partners in the social and economic development of Mozambique and cannot be victims of unfounded suspicion.
The issue of the financing of terrorism in Mozambique is gaining importance in the country, due to the actions of armed groups associated with extremism that carry out attacks in the province of Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country.
Source: Observadora
