Terrorism affected over 134,000 people in May

Maputo, 18 Jun (AIM) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has revealed that last May Islamist terrorism affected over 134,000 people in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.

In a report, the organization says “May saw the sharpest rise in violence in Cabo Delgado since June 2022, affecting over 134,000 people through 61 security incidents. 38 of these attacks were against civilians.”

According to the report, confirmed casualties included ten killings, several beheadings, and at least 45 abductions, mainly children. “Since January, non-State armed groups (NSAGs) have abducted around 300 individuals”, it said.

“Violence centered mainly on Cabo Delgado, particularly in the districts of Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Macomia, Ancuabe, Montepuez, and Palma, and spread into Mecula district in Niassa Province, displacing about 2,000 people. The insecurity disrupted essential services: mobile health teams suspended operations, and schools closed in Ancuabe, Montepuez, and Nangade. The increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) further endangered civilians, with three incidents reported in May—one injuring a man in Quiterajo and another injuring several civilians, including children, in Nangade”, reads the document.

The report pointed out that severe access challenges were reported in districts such as Mocímboa da Praia (especially Mbau and Diaca), Muidumbe (Miengueleua, Magaia, Mapate), Macomia (Quiterajo, Chai), and Montepuez (Nairoto).

“Mid-May saw a surge in NSAG activity; in Maculo village (Mocímboa da Praia), residents were held hostage for two days and forced to pay ‘fees’ for owning boats, canoes, or tents”, reads the note.

The document also said that protection risks intensified amid escalating clashes between NSAGs and the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), fighting alongside the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF).

“NSAGs strengthened control over key areas, including Mbau, Chinda, Chai, Catupa, and Diaca, and major access routes like the N380 and R698 roads”, said the report. “Meanwhile, reports emerged of arbitrary arrests by the FADM in Ibo, Quissanga, and Mocímboa da Praia, targeting fishermen suspected of NSAG links”.

The report also said that humanitarian operations faced growing hurdles and that aid agencies have reported administrative and operational constraints, such as new credential requirements in Palma, police intimidation in Pemba, and obstruction of beneficiary registration in Montepuez.

“Tensions between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities worsened. in Muidumbe, site leaders, following local authorities’ orders, denied registration to 1,242 newly arrived IDPs, including 472 children, while the local militia (usually referred to as “local forces”) were instructed to repel displaced populations by force”, the report said.
(AIM)
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