Jihadist attacks in northern Mozambique intensify
According to both Open Doors partners and media sources, there have been an uptick in Islamic State-linked jihadist attacks in the Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces of Mozambique.
In a televised address President Filipe Nyusi confirmed that the country’s armed forces were battling Islamist insurgents who launched an attack on the town of Macomia on Friday, May 10.
According to local news, Club of Mozambique, the jihadists occupied Macomia town for several hours on March 10.
“Macomia is under attack since this morning. Fire exchange still continues,” President Filipe said, adding that the militants initially withdrew after about 45 minutes of fighting, but then regrouped and returned.
In April, Open Doors partners reported jihadists attacks in Nassua village, Nampula province. According to local contacts, the jihadists removed a cross from a church in the village. They proceeded to set fire to the church and houses belonging to Christians.
On May 5, jihadists attacked Mopanha and Nanua villages. At this time, local contacts are unable to confirm the extent of the destruction or how many people were killed.
On May 6, Siriba village in Cabo Delgado province was attacked. Approximately 180 houses were burnt down and many Christians were hiding in the forest at the time of reporting the attack.
Macomia is a strategic town in northern Mozambique. Besides being a major access point between cities, it is about 160km from the site of a planned gas export facility. Macomia has further been serving as the base for Southern African Development Community (SADC) soldiers in an effort to quell the insurgency in northern Mozambique.
It is unclear if SADC forces were involved with repelling the attackers in Macomia. SADC forces are set to withdraw of it’s mission in Mozambique as it’s mandate ends in July.
Impact on the church
At the height of the insurgency between 2021 and 2022 more than a million people were displaced in northern Mozambique. The UNHCR estimates that 582,000 remain displaced at the start of 2024.
"We continue to receive reports that churches are overwhelmed with the level of trauma that individual believers have experienced."
“The impact of this displacement is not only physical but also emotional,” says Jo Newhouse, spokesperson for Open Doors field work in Sub-Saharan Africa. “We continue to receive reports that churches are overwhelmed with the level of trauma that individual believers have experienced. Many have witnessed horrific attacks at the hands of the jihadists, they have lost loved ones, livelihoods and all sense of security. Some have tried to return to their homes or restart their lives somewhere they hoped would be safer. These renewed attacks retraumatize many people and further impoverish already struggling communities. The result could be that areas in northern Mozambique are without any Christian presence.”
Mozambique is number 39 on the 2024 World Watch List.
Please Pray:
- Pray for the church in Macomia and in northern Mozambique. Many believers are traumatized and caught unaware. Pray that God’s Spirit will comfort them and provide in their daily needs.
- Pray for pastors ministering to the affected and those faithfully serving in rural villages where they are vulnerable to attack. Pray that God will be their shepherd and that they will look unto Him for guidance.
- Pray that there will be a concerted effort on every level of government to stabilize northern Mozambique.
- Pray for the church in Mozambique, that it will be salt and light in an area where the enemy tries to kill and destroy.
