Mozambique

Overview

Islamic extremists have been launching violent attacks on civilians in the northern province of Cabo Delgado since October 2017, resulting in at least 2,000 people displaced, nearly 300 people killed, and more than 1,000 properties destroyed. ?Events involving the group, known as Ahlu Sunna Wa-Jama,  have been increasing, with 40 attacks in the first five months of 2019 compared to 50 in all of 2018. ? The group’s activities have been concentrated on the coast of Cabo Delgado from Pemba to the Tanzanian border. Recent events showed a possible shift in tactics from night-time attacks on isolated homes, to coordinated daytime attacks against employees of the foreign oil company Anadarko, currently leading the biggest liquefied natural gas project in the country worth 20 billion dollars.? These attacks are likely to hamper registration activities for October 2019 elections. Government response, however, is leading to human rights abuses. Government forces have detained journalists for covering events in Cabo Delgado and subjected civilians suspected of supporting the group to perquisitions, looting, and arbitrary detention. ? If the government fails to address the social, religious, and political dynamics behind the insurgency, the attacks are very likely to continue. The attacks have already affected the food security situation in Cabo Delgado, where Stressed levels (IPC-2) are reported along the coast compared to Minimal (IPC-1) food insecurity in the rest of the province, due to restricted access to crops and livelihoods for fear of violence. ?

Latest Developments

30/06: On 24 and 26 of June, suspected Islamist assailants from the group ASWJ carried out attacks in Dacia (Mocimboa da Praia) and Quionga (Palma) in Cabo Delgado province, killing 18 people. The violent insurgency has been ongoing since October 2017 in northern Mozambique, with an increase in numbers and severity of attacks since January 2019, although the group's motives remain unclear. Despite a lack of information, it is likely that temporary displacement to escape the violence took place after the attacks. ?