Maputo — Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has called for stronger cooperation among African countries and international organizations to protect the continent’s natural resources amid growing international competition for strategic minerals, natural gas and oil.
Speaking at the 12th Tana Forum in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, on Saturday, Chapo argued that geopolitical rivalries and the global energy transition require African countries to coordinate their efforts to ensure that natural resources contribute to the development of the countries that possess them.
The Head of State drew attention to the timing of the discovery of major natural gas reserves in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado in 2016 and the emergence of terrorism in the region in 2017, suggesting that the proximity of the two events was too striking to ignore.
“We discovered gas reserves in 2016 in Cabo Delgado, and around the same time, terrorism appeared in 2017. It is too much of a coincidence that wherever resources are discovered, terrorism also appears,” Chapo said, calling for African countries to unite to protect their resources.
Speaking at a high-level panel entitled “Building an African Model for Peace and Sovereignty in an Era of Geopolitical Rivalry”, which also featured Ghanaian President John Mahama and Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chapo also called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to grant Africa permanent representation.
“The continent’s absence from these positions limits its participation in decisions on international peace and security. The African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other regional organizations must strengthen their role in preventing and resolving conflicts”, he said.
Referring to Mozambique’s fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, Chapo highlighted regional military cooperation, bilateral collaboration with Rwanda, coordination with Tanzania and the involvement of local forces.
“We discovered gas reserves in 2016 in Cabo Delgado, and around the same time, terrorism appeared in 2017. It is too much of a coincidence that wherever resources are discovered, terrorism also appears,” Chapo said, calling for African countries to unite to protect their resources.
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Maputo — Mozambican President Daniel Chapo urged enhanced collaboration among African nations and global partners to safeguard the continent’s natural resources as competition for strategic minerals, natural gas and oil intensifies.
At the 12th Tana Forum in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, on Saturday, Chapo emphasized that geopolitical rivalries and the worldwide energy transition demand that African states coordinate their actions so that natural resources foster development in resource‑rich countries.
The President highlighted the coincidence of the 2016 discovery of large natural gas reserves in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, and the rise of terrorism in the region in 2017, noting the striking proximity of these events.
‘We discovered gas reserves in 2016 in Cabo Delgado, and around the same time terrorism emerged in 2017. The proximity of resource discoveries and terror incidents is no coincidence,’ Chapo declared, urging African nations to unite in protecting their resources.
During a high‑level panel titled ‘Building an African Model for Peace and Sovereignty in an Era of Geopolitical Rivalry’, which included Ghanaian President John Mahama and Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chapo called for reforms to the UN Security Council to give Africa permanent representation.
‘The continent’s exclusion from these forums limits its ability to influence decisions on international peace and security,’ he said, urging the African Union, SADC and other regional bodies to enhance their role in conflict prevention and resolution.
In reference to Mozambique’s battle against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, Chapo underscored regional military cooperation, bilateral partnership with Rwanda, coordination with Tanzania, and the participation of local forces.
He also thanked SADC members for their contribution to the regional military mission, SAMIM, and emphasized the need for ongoing security cooperation with Kigali.
He added that Tanzanian forces stationed along the border help deter insurgents from crossing into Mozambican territory.
Chapo said that Mozambique’s experience shows the importance of integrating regional cooperation, bilateral agreements and community participation to combat armed violence.
Chapo noted that areas previously overrun by insurgents have been cleared of terrorist control, though sporadic attacks persist. He acknowledged that the violence continues to displace populations and create humanitarian needs.