Political Risk and instability

https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/its-on-our-doorstep-mozambique-jihadist-insurgency-threatens-to-rock-regional-stability-20210408

https://www.fpri.org/article/2021/04/the-evolution-and-escalation-of-the-islamic-state-threat-to-mozambique/

This is all right up to date and is extremely important to the success of IVZ. It cannot just be ignored.

Note the analysts comment in the conclusion of the article:-

" At various points, theinsurgents have targeted contractors associated with liquefied natural gasprojects,and have moved in recent months to close in on areas where these companiesoperate. There is the potential for foreign involvement, especially afterrecent attacks, and the United States has roughly a dozen Green Berets in country to train theMozambican security forces. There is the possibility for a prolonged insurgencythat could draw foreign fighters to the region, with thepotential to spread into neighboring countries."

South Africa is the only major military power, close at hand, that has the capability to provide meaningful support to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Relationships between the countries is very strong.
Forget the handful of Green Beret advisors approach. I have personally had experience of that approach in Angola and many other areas in Africa. The Angolan civil war eventually grew into a massive conflict involving well over half a million combatants including about 40,000 Cubans (their casulaties numbered over 10,000) and South Africans who had about 10,000 ( approx. 1,800 casulaties) from all sides. There were also about 3,500 East German paratroopers and a large number of military advisors from USSR. This was a lengthy and tough conflict lasting over a decade before South Africa decided the costs were too high and withdrew their forces.

The US failed miserably when they wanted to gain control of the Angolan oilfields and the port of Luanda using South Africa as their proxy. Much South African and Cuban blood was spilt there for no purpose because, yet again, the US backed the wrong side.

Biden is the last person on the planet that would be interested in getting involved in another distant war in Africa. Especially for oil and natural gas.
In any event, the US always manages to further destabilise the situation and always seem to pick the wrong side!

There is a very real threat to IVZ project if this situation is not resolved. Over 18% of the population in Mozambique is Muslim and close to this area. Islamic State strategy is clear i.e. to radicalise the local population and gain control of monetary assets to continue their aims. They always need money to increase their power and influence. Iran would be more than happy to assist in any way they can.

The rich natural gas (LNG) project on the Afungipeninsula – the biggest single investment in Africa- led by Total,is at very high risk right now. It is likely to be abandoned soon as the FrenchGovt. looks to withdraw support.

I only hold a small amount of shares in IVZ so my exposure is not great but Africa desperately needs these projects to help enhance the peoples lives and bring much needed stability to the whole region.

The project needs to signed, sealed and delivered a.s.a.p. so that there is a significant prize to be defended by these various govts who will all benefit from the unlocked energy resources.

This the way forward for them to gain their peoples support in the ongoing battle against terrorist groups.

The sooner the benefits flow on to the populations the easier it will be to drive Islamic State out of the area and provide the military resources that will needed to achieve that goal.

A dozen Green Berets? Reality is that they will need many hundreds of highly trained Special Forces soldiers and a strategic approach that involves the local population and a top class intelligence network.

That costs a lot of money and the need for meaningful income is very real. IVZ can help provide that but time is ticking away and the Zimbabwe government needs to sign the PSA asap.