Local militias in Mozambique; looking forward to elections; and when will the LNG project restart?

Welcome to this week's Zitamar Podcast, featuring news and analysis from the Zitamar team who discuss the week's most important events.

As well as our regular look-back at the week's news, this podcast features two excellent interviews with special guests. The first is Corinna Jentzsch, whose new book: Violent Resistance: Militia Formation and Civil War in Mozambique looks at the use of local militia in Mozambique's civil war with Renamo. She discusses what lessons can be drawn from that experience, to understand what's happening today in Cabo Delgado.

In the third section, journalist and veteran Mozambique election-watcher Joe Hanlon shares his views on what to expect in the coming electoral cycle.

The podcast starts with a look back at the biggest news stories of the week, with Zitamar editor Tom Bowker, and consulting editor Fernando Lima — the author of an article published on Monday looking into the issues determining when the Mozambique LNG project, operated by TotalEnergies, is going to restart.

See: Pressure grows for Mozambique LNG restart, but security challenges remain

That was followed on Tuesday with our report that Rwandan troops have been deployed to Macomia — outside of the two districts of immediate importance to the gas projects

See: Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado deploy to Macomia district

Bowker and Lima also discuss the visit to Mozambique of Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera, and the announcement of a list of companies competing to build the massive Mphanda Nkuwa dam project.

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