A recent surge in attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province has sparked fears for the safety of children. More than 70 children are reported missing, with authorities and aid agencies expressing concern that they may have drowned in a river during the chaos or been kidnapped by militants.
The attacks targeted previously unaffected areas, marking a potential escalation in the ongoing insurgency that began in 2017. This crisis has already displaced over a million people and claimed thousands of lives.
Nearly 100,000 people, including over 61,000 children, have fled their homes since early February due to the renewed offensive by Islamic State Mozambique fighters. This movement represents the largest displacement of children in Cabo Delgado in the past year and a half.
Aid agencies like Save the Children warn of repeated reports of beheadings and abductions, with children among the victims. The UN Refugee Agency is currently assessing the situation and the humanitarian response required.
Local authorities estimate that 72 children remain unaccounted for. While 29 have been reunited with their families, the fate of others hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the Protection Working Group, a network of NGOs and UN agencies, reports attacks on 27 villages in southern Cabo Delgado. These attacks reportedly led to drownings during escape attempts, kidnappings, and the destruction of over 500 buildings.
The mass displacement of people increases the risk of cholera outbreaks due to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in displacement camps. This adds another layer of urgency to the already dire situation.
The recent attacks raise questions about the Mozambican military’s ability to contain the insurgency. Despite claims of a near-secure Cabo Delgado last year, insurgents were able to occupy a district capital and carry out further killings. This highlights the ongoing struggle to quell the violence and protect civilians, particularly vulnerable children.
