Mocímboa da Praia | |
|---|---|
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  Mocímboa da Praia | |
| Coordinates:11°21′S40°20′E / 11.350°S 40.333°E /-11.350; 40.333 | |
| Country |  Mozambique |
| Provinces | Cabo Delgado Province |
| Population (2017) | |
• Total | 127,705 |
Mocímboa da Praia is aport town in northernMozambique, lying on theIndian Ocean coast, inCabo Delgado Province. It is used as aborder post for travel to and fromTanzania even though it is 127 km from the border by road. It is the seat ofMocímboa da Praia District.
The city was prominent during the colonial period due to its port, which served the export market, and because of easy access to Tanzania and the north. The Portuguese army had a base there during the independence struggle. During theMozambican Civil War it was a safe area for internally displaced people.[citation needed] Many people resettled here after the 1992 peace accords.[citation needed]
In 2017, an Islamic extremist group linked toISIL named "Ansar al-Sunna"attacked the city during theInsurgency in Cabo Delgado, killing 17 people.[1] Another attack took place on March 24, 2020,[2] which briefly gave the militants control of the city before they were driven out by theMozambique Defence Armed Forces.[3] Islamist insurgents took control of the city on August 12, 2020, after defending government forces ran short of ammunition and evacuated, some by sea.[4][5] The insurgents controlled the city for 12 months while the government tried to organise forces to regain control.[6] In August 2021these efforts were successful and a combination of Rwandan and Mozambican forces retook the city.[7]
Its economy relies mainly on fishing and logging.[citation needed]
| Year | Population[8] |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 127,705 |
11°21′S40°20′E / 11.350°S 40.333°E /-11.350; 40.333
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