Pope arrives in Mozambique, kicks off Africa tour

Five presidents have conveyed for a crisis summit in Maputo to discuss how to combat rebels in Mozambique. The meeting comes just after 12 people were beheaded following an attack claimed by the "Islamic State."

French energy company Total has withdrawn workers from a $20 billion gas project in the southern African country after a nearby jihadi attack.

Since 2017, the insurgency raging in northern Mozambique has cost close to 3,000 lives and displaced more than 700,000 people. On March 23, 2021, militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group attacked the town of Palma, prompting French energy group Total to shut down its operations in the region, despite having invested more than $20 billion dollars in a liquefied natural gas project there. As this mega-project is put on hold, and the company’s staff withdrawn – at least until stability is reestablished – the Mozambican government is largely refusing outside military assistance.

Pope Francis says the loss of innocent lives in violence between Israel and Palestinians is "terrible and unacceptable" and appeals for those who have responsibility to "walk the paths of peace".

More than 20,000 people are trapped in northern Mozambique two months after militants attacked the city of Palma. The oil giant Total suspended its activities in the region and the flow of displaced people to the capital of Cabo Delgado province does not stop.

Cyclones Idai, Chalane and Eloise caused severe damage to schools in Beira, destroying about 1,000 classrooms. The municipality is now using repurposed buses, or "machimbombos", as classrooms. Five of them are in a Beira elementary school.

The 84-year-old will undergo a procedure for inflammation of the large colon.

Pope Francis, seemingly in a good overall condition, has made his first public appearance since having intestinal surgery last week. The church leader stressed the importance of accessible and free healthcare for all.

Rwanda deployed a joint force of army and police to Mozambique's troubled northern province of Cabo Delgado to help fight Islamic State-linked militants. Not everyone is happy about Kigali's move.

At least 30 jihadists have been killed by Rwandan forces who were deployed to Mozambique. Rwanda is just one of several countries that sent troops to the country after a recent uptick in activity by Shabaab Islamist militants. Also, Tunisia has received foreign aid to help battle Covid-19. The country's hospitals are overwhelmed and running out of oxygen. Finally, FRANCE 24 speaks to Christine Amisi, one of Africa's top doctors in efforts to help rape survivors.

Forces from Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda have been sent to Mozambique to help in the fight against Islamist militants.

Aid group Save the Children has said a "children's" humanitarian crisis is brewing in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province as the fight to root out Islamist militants continues.