Bag of nerves

A nerve-wracking day because at our project site in northern Mozambique, one of our vehicles was ambushed by a group linked to the insurgency that has so far only affected the neighbouring province of Cabo Delgado. This has taken us rather by surprise and government intelligence and communication have failed in terms of an early warning system. Unfortunately our vehicle was occupied by a driver, some scouts and some police, the latter of whom we don’t employ. We believe everyone scattered during the ambush, in which the vehicle was torched. By the end of the day one scout and three police were still missing in the bush, although we don’t necessarily think they’re injured. I spent the whole day trying to gather and coordinate information, having to liaise between the field and the big cheeses with oversight.

Back here in Chimanimani, aside from the insurgency updates my phone lit up like a glistening turkey with the number of Happy Thanksgiving messages. I might start wishing everyone outside of Mozambique a pleasant Lusaka Peace Accord Day every 07 September to mark Mozambique’s move towards independence.

In person rather than via WhatsApp I could actually have done with a slice of mom’s sweet potato pie because I am worried about nutrient deficiency here at the camp. It’s the end of the month and rations are running very low and basic. Rice and baked beans twice today. I miss fruit.