On 8 May, the Daily Maverick posed this question in a detailed article, saying that insurgents in northern Mozambique may be positioning themselves to reap greater profits. It says that illicit trade in the north of the country has capitalised on and fostered corruption at all levels of government. There are drugs, human trafficking, high-value hardwood timber and gold and rubies that are, or can be, involved. One intriguing element is the flow of “rough” rubies (uncut gems sold by artisanal miners), following the discovery of ruby deposits in 2009.
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