According to a report from the Civil Protection and Fire Service, which Lusa had access to this Monday, the conflict, confirmed in a statement from the Namibe Provincial Government, involved members of the Kuvale and Nhaneka communities in the town of Mulovei, in the municipality of Cacimbas.
"It is with deep consternation that the GPN [Government of the Province of Namibe] learned this Sunday that the aforementioned conflict resulted in fatalities and injuries among citizens of both ethnic groups," the Namibe provincial government stated in the statement, without providing the number of deaths or injuries.
According to the fire department, as a result of the drought currently affecting the municipality, conflicts have arisen over the search for pasture and water for cattle and goats.
The statement highlights that the conflict took place at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, involving citizens of the Mucubal ethnic group against members of the Nhaneka-Umbi, Mucuando, and Muquilengue-Muso ethnic groups, using machetes, arrows, knives, and batons.
As a result, 12 people died, aged between 20 and 65: eight from the Nhaneka ethnic group, two from the Mucuando ethnic group, and two from the Muquilengue-Muso ethnic group.
The Namibe Provincial government states that "the competent authorities are on the ground conducting a thorough assessment of the situation," further emphasizing that, in coordination with the municipal administration, continuous efforts have been made to resolve the situation peacefully.
"Among the measures already implemented are meetings with community leaders from the parties involved, as well as the inclusion in the Public Investment Plan of the construction of six large dams and the rehabilitation of 43 reservoirs, with a view to increasing the availability of water for local communities," it states.
