The measure, taken to prevent further armed conflicts between the Mucubais and Nhanekas peoples, was adopted during a meeting led by the acting governor of Namibe province, Abel Kapitango, which brought together administrative and traditional authorities, police officers, civil society representatives, and ecclesiastical entities.
Defense and security agencies must, within a short period of time, collect spears, clubs, machetes, truncheons, and other bladed weapons from the population. This action should focus primarily on areas such as Mulovei, Mulundo, and Calucayona, where the conflicts have been most intense.
In statements to the press, the meeting's spokesperson, Hélder Manuel, quoted by Angop, said there is a need to increase police presence and logistical resources in the region to stop the clashes, which primarily involve young people from both ethnic groups.
On Sunday, according to information provided by firefighters, the conflicts arose as a result of the drought, caused by the search for pasture and water for cattle and goats.
The conflict involved citizens of the Mucubal ethnic group against members of the Nhaneka-Umbi, Mucuando, and Muquilengue-Muso ethnic groups, using machetes, arrows, knives, and batons, resulting in 12 deaths, ranging in age from 20 to 65.
According to Hélder Manuel, the Mulovei dam, the main point of the dispute, should not be attributed to a single community in particular, but should remain a natural resource serving the entire population, regulated by the National Police.
Hélder Manuel emphasized that this meeting follows several others held over the past two months, with all parties involved, in different locations in the two municipalities, "to find the best possible solutions."
"Unfortunately, this incident occurred over the weekend, just before the scheduled meeting," he said, adding that the recommendations now being issued aim to ensure this situation "does not happen again."
"This has been going on for some time, but the provincial government will focus all necessary attention following this meeting to prevent such acts from happening again. There are 12 deaths, ten in the Mulovei dam area and two others in the municipal headquarters of Camucuio," he emphasized.
