An insurgency in the shadows, a displacement crisis at breaking point
In Mozambique's northeastern corner, Islamic State-linked militants have waged an insurgency since October 2017. What began in a single district has spread to 16 of Cabo Delgado's 17 districts. Only the provincial capital, Pemba, has never been attacked.
In November alone, more than 100,000 people were displaced. Around 70,000 of them were children.
The UN reports 330,000 people displaced in just the past four months. They join 1.3 million already uprooted since the insurgency began—a cumulative catastrophe that continues to grow.
Jihadist insurgents have launched new attacks in recent weeks, beheading civilians, burning villages, and leaving children orphaned. Some children are now seeking help alone, separated from families.
The displaced live in overcrowded community shelters and classrooms. Cholera and other diseases are breaking out in displacement camps. Humanitarian groups describe a "breaking point."
Islamic State-Mozambique operates as an independent branch of the Islamic State group. The US Director of National Intelligence estimates approximately 300 fighters. A key leader is a Tanzanian national.
The insurgency has also spread into neighboring Nampula and Niassa provinces.
Rwanda has deployed over 5,000 personnel—soldiers and police—to help combat the insurgency. Despite eight years of conflict, military strategy has made little progress.
Compounding the crisis: four strong cyclones in the last 12 months, following a crippling drought in 2024. Overlapping disasters on top of war.