More than 70 children are reported missing in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province following a series of jihadist attacks, local authorities have confirmed. These children became separated from their families amidst the chaos as thousands of people were forced to flee to a neighboring province in recent weeks.
There are growing concerns that the missing children may have been kidnapped by fighters linked to the Islamic State (IS) group, which has been involved in an insurgency in the region since 2017. The violence has escalated in recent months, leading to a surge in displacement. According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the medical charity, around 80,000 people have been displaced since January.
The children in question were among those fleeing from Cabo Delgado’s Chiùre district to Nampula province over the past few weeks. Chiùre, located in the south of Cabo Delgado, has been considered a relatively safe area for those displaced in previous years, with most of the violence concentrated in the north of the province. However, it appears that the jihadists deliberately targeted Chiùre to abduct children, as stated by President Filipe Nyusi last week.
Concerns have been raised that the missing children may have been taken to training camps by the militants, as reported by the private newspaper Expresso da Tarde. Unfortunately, the exact number of civilian casualties in the recent violence remains unknown. Nevertheless, the army has stated that calm has been restored in Chiùre.
Of the people displaced by the recent wave of jihadist attacks, over 60% are children, and a UN report indicates that 129 schools have been forced to close in the affected areas. This represents the highest number of children uprooted in a short period, according to Save the Children.
The charity has stated, “There are repeated reports of beheadings and abductions, including multiple child victims. The conflict has already left 540,000 people displaced, with over half of them being children.” The insurgency, led by the IS-linked local al-Shabab militia, has now been ongoing in Cabo Delgado for seven years.
The underlying causes of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado can be attributed to high levels of poverty and tensions over access to land and employment opportunities. These factors have contributed to local grievances and created fertile ground for radicalization.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, regional troops have been assisting the Mozambican military in efforts to quell the insurgency. However, the recent spike in violence and the increasing number of displaced people highlight the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to address the root causes of the conflict.
Efforts must focus on addressing poverty, providing economic opportunities, and promoting social integration to prevent further radicalization and the perpetuation of violence. Additionally, ensuring the safety and welfare of those affected, especially the missing children and other vulnerable groups, must be a top priority for the Mozambican government and the international community.
The international community should also consider increasing humanitarian aid and support to help alleviate the suffering and provide essential services to the displaced population. Collaborative initiatives involving neighbouring countries, regional organizations, and international partners will be vital to finding a lasting resolution to the crisis in Cabo Delgado.
As Mozambique grapples with the persistent insecurity in the northern region of Cabo Delgado, concerted efforts are needed to protect the most vulnerable, mend shattered communities, and build a more stable and secure future for all Mozambicans.
