Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has urged the militants operating in parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado to turn themselves over to the authorities or face being killed.

Speaking after a memorial service to mark 29 years of peace since the end of the country’s civil war, Nyusi warned the militants that they “have nowhere to go”.

President Nyusi stressed that it was not the government’s intention to take reprisals.

“We want to urge them not to wait alone to be pursued until they are killed,” he said.

“That is not the intention of the defence and security forces. They should surrender, in an orderly fashion.

“We are sure that leaders of these groups are on the run.”

The president said they are currently being pursued by the Mozambican army, allies from Rwanda and a regional standby force.