Bishop of Pemba reports beheadings and kidnappings in northern Mozambique

Bishop António Juliasse reported the beheading of several Christians and an increase in kidnappings in Cabo Delgado province this year. In a joint interview with Renascença and Agência ECCLESIA, the bishop stated that the Church will not remain silent regarding terrorism and violence in the region. He described the province as a land of martyrs following the destruction of the São Luís de Monforte mission church in May.

Juliasse noted that many children have been abducted and numerous people have been kidnapped for large ransoms. These kidnapping risks have forced several humanitarian organizations to suspend field operations, limiting their work to the city of Pemba and larger towns. This restriction occurs as malnutrition increases, particularly among children.

The conflict, which began in October 2017 with attacks by groups associated with the Islamic State, has resulted in more than 6,600 deaths and 1.2 million displaced people. New displacement camps are forming due to incursions in the north and center of the province. Families are returning to conflict zones because of a lack of food, farmland, and protection in resettlement centers.