Nigerian government to help Mozambique tackle Islamist insurgents

Nigeria has offered to support Mozambique in its fight against Islamist insurgents in the gas-rich northern province of Cabo Delgado.

The international committee of the Red Cross says more than 2,000 people have been killed and more than 500,000 others displaced in the violence.

Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, visited Mozambique over the weekend and met Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho Do Rosário.

He said Nigeria was ready to share its experience of fighting Islamist militants and provide support to Mozambique.

Onyeama noted that the visit was part of a diplomatic tour to southern Africa countries to mobilise support for Nigeria’s bid to chair the peace and Security Council of the African Union.