In October, we journeyed to the Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique to investigate how terrorists claiming affiliation with the Islamic State have established a presence, causing chaos among both Muslims and Christians. Officials fear that if the Islamic State affiliate known as ISIS-Mozambique is not contained, the broader Islamic State network in Africa could pose a larger global threat.
The conflict, known locally as “the war,” has disrupted the once peaceful lives of fishermen and farmers in the region. Nearly 6,000 people have been killed and half of the province’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced. The struggle for food and shelter is a daily reality in a province rich in resources like rubies, gas, and timber.
Since our visit, tensions in the country have escalated further. Following a disputed presidential election, Mozambique has been rocked by election-related violence not seen since the civil war ended in 1992. Thousands have protested against what many believe was a rigged election by the governing party, Frelimo, resulting in nearly 300 deaths.
In addition, Cyclone Chido struck Cabo Delgado and Nampula province in mid-December, claiming the lives of up to 120 people, displacing tens of thousands, and leaving many without basic necessities like food and clean water.
Despite efforts to contain the insurgency, security experts report that the group has dwindled to a few hundred fighters but has dispersed into small groups across the dense forests of the province. Attacks, though smaller in scale, have become more frequent and widespread in previously untouched areas.
Our journey began in Mocimboa da Praia, the birthplace of the insurgency, where we witnessed the aftermath of the first attack in 2017. The insurgents, initially known as Al Shabab, began recruiting locals by exploiting their poverty and resentment towards the government. However, their message was soon overshadowed by brutal acts of violence and terror.
The displacement crisis has left hundreds of thousands without homes, jobs, or stability. Aid organizations struggle to provide assistance to those in need, with over 80,000 displaced people now crowded into Pemba. Families are forced to share cramped living spaces, using bedsheets as makeshift walls.
The stories of Muinde Macassari, who now lives in a tent in his aunt’s yard, and Cheia Cassiano, who was forced to join the insurgents, highlight the ongoing suffering and trauma experienced by those caught in the conflict. The scars of war are visible throughout Mocimboa da Praia, where residents have returned to find their community devastated.
As Mozambique grapples with the aftermath of the insurgency and other challenges, the road to recovery and reconciliation remains long and uncertain.