Can Mozambique Shield Its Energy Investments From Escalating Terrorism?

Mozambique's government recently made headlines by signing a peace agreement with the longtime rebel group, Mozambican National Resistance. The deal has since been hailed as a harbinger for greater stability in the country. But a new insurgency in Mozambique's far north now poses a much greater threat, given its proximity to the East African nation's burgeoning offshore energy sector. Since late 2017, unknown assailants have attacked dozens of villages and some government positions in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province. The attackers have yet to list any public demands, though there are rumors that they may have regional or international jihadist connections. But while much remains unknown, understanding the environment from which the conflict has emerged could provide hints as to what might be driving it -- and whether the government will be able to stop it before foreign oil and gas firms in the region start to pull their operations....