The Rise of Extremism in Mozambique

In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique's northern province, violence has escalated to the point of needing foreign assistance. This month, at least 1,000 Rwandan soldiers deployed to Mozambique to protect civilians from Ansar-al-Sunna, an armed extremist group with alleged links to ISIS. Chance Briggs of Save the Children said, "This violence has to stop, and displaced families need to be supported as they find their bearings and recover from the trauma.” What can we tell friends about this crisis and how can we help?

A troubling year.
Extremists in the north have attacked natural gas projects that are designed to improve the economy, but displace residents. The security situation is so dire that Total, a French energy company, was able to declare force majeure and back out of a $20 billion contract to develop Africa's second largest natural gas site. In April, they removed their staff, citing safety concerns. Militants have been present in this area since 2017, but a June 2021 International Crisis Group report says they have gained more weapons, including some they took from government armories.

What is driving extremism.
Cabo Delgado is one of Mozambique's poorest provinces and corruption is rampant. Authorities, including the local police, have been accused of being involved in illegal trades of gems, wildlife, and narcotics. Their actions have created a climate of mistrust in an environment with growing poverty and unemployment. State-sponsored violence is also a driver for extremism in Mozambique as security forces have been accused of committing human rights abuses. Miners have been tortured and killed by police and private security contractors with foreign mining firms. In 2019, Gemfields, a British mining company, agreed to pay almost $8 million to settle abuse claims. In this case in Mozambique, extremism is not linked to religion or a particular political ideology. When discussing how violence drives people to join extremist groups, Gregory Pirio, the president of Empowering Communications Associates said, “They adopt this narrative of vengeance.”

Attacks on children.
Since extremists took control of much of Cabo Delgado four years ago, at least 3,100 people have been killed and 820,000 people have been displaced. Militants are not just attacking adults. Save the Children spoke with a woman who was hiding with her three children. She said, "We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him. We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too." Children who see their families being attacked and murdered will likely suffer from bouts of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Help Children in Cabo Delgado. Save the Children reports that children as young as 11 have been beheaded by extremists during this conflict. On top of violence, Mozambique is still trying to rebuild from widespread floods and cyclones that have occured over the past three years. Save the Children's initiatives, which aid families displaced due to violence and natural disasters, have helped more than 70,000 people, including over 50,000 children. They have classified the situation as an emergency and are accepting donations to their emergency fund.