MAPUTO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A Mozambican researcher said social exclusion is a main reason behind the sporadic armed attacks led by a group of self-proclaimed Islamists in the northern province of Cabo Delgado since last October.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Maputo by political commentator and researcher Joao Pereira during the launch of a research report entitled "Islamic radicalization in northern Mozambique: the case of Mocimboa da Praia".
"According to our field research, we found that the young people who formed the group feel socially excluded, they feel excluded from the country's policies," Pereira told the press.
Pereira said young people joining the group feel like having a new family with whom they can challenge the authorities.
He said the group has several units in various parts of Africa, including Cabo Delgado of Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia and there are spiritual leaders from the three foreign countries to train the members of the unit in Mozambique.
"Internally, armed youths were trained by the ex-agents of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, who were expelled from the corporation and border guards," he said.
According to the report, the group does not have a clear manifesto or message, but everything indicates that Islam is not being followed properly and the money to finance its activities comes from illicit sources.
"They prohibit the formal education of children and replace it with a Quranic education, and change the attitudes of women towards clothing," says the report.
"Since they are in areas rich in mineral resources, they smuggle wood, ivory and rubies," said Pereira, adding that they also receive donations from inside and outside the country.
Earlier this month, more than 200 suspects related to the armed group have been charged by the provincial prosecutor of Cabo Delgado.
