Mozambique: Missionaries, priests and nuns are fleeing to Pemba – Lusa

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Mozambique: Missionaries, priests and nuns are fleeing to Pemba – Lusa

8:27 CAT | 16 Feb 2024

File photo: Lusa

Missionaries, priests and nuns are fleeing from remote villages in Cabo Delgado to the provincial capital Pemba as a result of attacks by terrorist groups associated with the Islamic State, the Christian organisation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported on Thursday.

Citing reports on the ground, the international organisation said that “several new and simultaneous attacks by armed insurgents” are rattling the province of Cabo Delgado.

“The activities of Islamic insurgent groups have intensified in the region, creating an extremely complicated situation and an atmosphere of fear and insecurity,” the charity reported, adding that the flight of missionaries, priests and religious sisters is “burdening” refugee support structures.

“The insurgency in northern Mozambique began in 2017, but has seen an increase in attacks since the beginning of 2024. In just the last few days, there have been several new attacks on cities and villages, and people have been killed or kidnapped,” the ACN says.

ACN also reported that on February 9 these groups of insurgents, who claim loyalty to the Islamic State, attacked three communities in the Mazeze area, 100 kilometres south of Pemba.

“Churches were burned, as were the population’s homes,” said a local missionary, quoted in the ACN publication, reporting that the attacks, along with “rumours of new terrorist movements in neighbouring locations” had led to the “displacement of hundreds of people”.

READ: Mozambique: Movement Alert Report (8-14 February 2024) – IOM

“In many cases, they travelled long distances through the bush to find refuge in Pemba or the nearest neighbouring city, Chiúre, causing overcrowding,” he further detailed.

A missionary also cited in the report, unidentified for security reasons, said that the terrorists destroyed houses and churches in several villages and are now “spread across the southern and central districts” of Cabo Delgado, although “the ultimate objective of the movements or attacks is not clear” yet.

The situation, she explained, “is very, very complicated”.

“The priest who was in one of the communities moved to Pemba, the centre of the diocese, as did the religious sisters who lived nearby. Other missionaries are following suit, to protect themselves, but also to protect the population,” she further confirmed.

The organization explained that leaving “is sometimes a way of protecting people, because often if priests or sisters remain in villages people feel safe and stay with them, which can leave them exposed to attacks”.

“They did not limit their attacks to villages with Christian churches. As always, they attack absolutely everything, including churches, but also mosques, but they especially target the population and their homes,” one priest said.

The report describes that “in addition to the increase in the number of attacks”, these groups of insurgents “also appear to be becoming more daring in their methods” and in a recent attack against the Mucojo village in January, “instead of destroying houses and fleeing into the bush”, ended up staying “for at least two days, despite the close presence of the armed forces of Mozambique and other allied countries”.

⚠️@DTM_IOM Update

Fear and confirmed attacks by NSAG in Macomia, Chiure, Mecufi, MdP & Muidumbe triggered the displacement of 2,000+ people from 8 to 14 February.

Escalating violence underscores the need for humanitarian aid & protection measures.

More: https://t.co/CjvU91S0Lg pic.twitter.com/xkXInkOmUN

— IOM Mozambique (@IOM_Mozambique) February 15, 2024

ACN, the pontifical foundation created in 1947, describes itself as a support organization that promotes “a world in which Christianity can prosper everywhere”, being “loyal to the Holy Father”.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for six years with some attacks claimed by the extremist Islamic State group, leading to a military response, since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), freeing districts close to gas projects.

After a period of relative stability, new attacks and movements have been recorded in Cabo Delgado in recent weeks, although locally the authorities suspect that the movement is linked to pursuit by the Defence and Security Forces in the districts of Macomia, Quissanga and Muidumbe, among others.

Source: Lusa