How Barbaric these Islamist and Terrorists always kidnap children, girls, women. Same thing in Nigeria, they kill them.
Since January, al-Shabaab terrorists in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado Province have abducted at least 120 boys and girls, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
HRW tracked a series of al-Shabaab attacks on the villages of Mumu, Chibau, Ntotwe and Magaia between January and May 2025. Of the 120 children reported kidnapped, only six have been released. Those remaining captive are believed to be facing grueling forced labor (such as lifting and transporting stolen goods, carrying out agricultural work, etc) and being forced into either marriage or fighting.
Al-Shabaab is linked to the Islamic State (IS), and is a separate entity from the Somalia-based al-Qaeda affiliate of the same name.
Mozambique is a majority-Christian country. Its population is around 34.8 million. Around 20 million are estimated to be Christian (57 percent of the entire population) and there are 6.2 million Muslims in the country (17.8 percent.)
The objective of active Islamic groups in Mozambique is to establish an Islamic state. Islamic oppression is thus the most common form of persecution for Christians in Mozambique, due to insurgents.
Islam is a minority religion in Mozambique which mainly centers in the north, where the Islamic insurgency has taken hold. The rise of jihad, particularly in northern regions such as Cabo Delgado, has led to targeted attacks on Christian communities, with churches destroyed, pastors abducted, and lives lost.
In the north of the country, Christians (including children) are murdered for their faith. Christian women are raped, abducted and forcibly married. Muslim converts to Christianity suffer from discrimination and violence.
Since 2017, there have been recurrent attacks against Christians in the north by militants belonging to the IS-affiliated Islamic group, al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ), causing thousands to flee their homes. In addition, ASWJ has called for the removal of Christian symbols, and has attacked houses belonging to Christians in some parts of Cabo Delgado Province.
Over 6,000 have been killed since 2007 by the terror insurgency as they have spread across Mozambique, reports Open Doors. Horrifying incidents involving mass beheadings have occurred, including those of children and a Christian pastor in 2021.
In April 2025, for instance, an attack by Islamic terrorists on the Niassa Special Reserve Conservation Project displaced over 2,000 people and effectively shut down the local economy. Ten park workers were also murdered. Niassa is now under military control; tourism and livelihoods have vanished.
The capability and areas of influence of these militants continue to increase. It is possible that this jihadist violence could expand southwards into neighboring Tanzania and Malawi.
Coalition forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda (together with advisors from other nations) had some success pushing the jihadists back. Nevertheless, in January 2024, a series of coordinated assaults in the Mocímboa da Praia district led to the deaths of ten Christians and the destruction of over 200 homes, including a church.
This violence was part of a broader campaign by the IS (Islamic State) entitled “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” This campaign was explicitly aimed at Christians. It was announced by the group’s spokesperson and resulted in widespread violence, with images of the killings and burning properties published in IS’ weekly magazine, Al-Naba.
Throughout 2024, Christian homes and businesses were frequently set on fire, contributing to the ongoing displacement and economic destabilization of Christian communities in the region.
According to the US State Department, in September 2023, an IS-affiliated attack reportedly killed at least 11 Christians; media reports quoted survivors as stating the group separated villagers based on their names before opening fire on those they supposed to be Christians.
www.hrw.org
Since January, al-Shabaab terrorists in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado Province have abducted at least 120 boys and girls, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
HRW tracked a series of al-Shabaab attacks on the villages of Mumu, Chibau, Ntotwe and Magaia between January and May 2025. Of the 120 children reported kidnapped, only six have been released. Those remaining captive are believed to be facing grueling forced labor (such as lifting and transporting stolen goods, carrying out agricultural work, etc) and being forced into either marriage or fighting.
Al-Shabaab is linked to the Islamic State (IS), and is a separate entity from the Somalia-based al-Qaeda affiliate of the same name.
The country is number 37 on Open Doors’ World Watch List, which monitors Christian persecution on a global scale.
Mozambique is a majority-Christian country. Its population is around 34.8 million. Around 20 million are estimated to be Christian (57 percent of the entire population) and there are 6.2 million Muslims in the country (17.8 percent.)
The objective of active Islamic groups in Mozambique is to establish an Islamic state. Islamic oppression is thus the most common form of persecution for Christians in Mozambique, due to insurgents.
Islam is a minority religion in Mozambique which mainly centers in the north, where the Islamic insurgency has taken hold. The rise of jihad, particularly in northern regions such as Cabo Delgado, has led to targeted attacks on Christian communities, with churches destroyed, pastors abducted, and lives lost.
In the north of the country, Christians (including children) are murdered for their faith. Christian women are raped, abducted and forcibly married. Muslim converts to Christianity suffer from discrimination and violence.
Since 2017, there have been recurrent attacks against Christians in the north by militants belonging to the IS-affiliated Islamic group, al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ), causing thousands to flee their homes. In addition, ASWJ has called for the removal of Christian symbols, and has attacked houses belonging to Christians in some parts of Cabo Delgado Province.
Over 6,000 have been killed since 2007 by the terror insurgency as they have spread across Mozambique, reports Open Doors. Horrifying incidents involving mass beheadings have occurred, including those of children and a Christian pastor in 2021.
In April 2025, for instance, an attack by Islamic terrorists on the Niassa Special Reserve Conservation Project displaced over 2,000 people and effectively shut down the local economy. Ten park workers were also murdered. Niassa is now under military control; tourism and livelihoods have vanished.
The capability and areas of influence of these militants continue to increase. It is possible that this jihadist violence could expand southwards into neighboring Tanzania and Malawi.
Coalition forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda (together with advisors from other nations) had some success pushing the jihadists back. Nevertheless, in January 2024, a series of coordinated assaults in the Mocímboa da Praia district led to the deaths of ten Christians and the destruction of over 200 homes, including a church.
This violence was part of a broader campaign by the IS (Islamic State) entitled “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” This campaign was explicitly aimed at Christians. It was announced by the group’s spokesperson and resulted in widespread violence, with images of the killings and burning properties published in IS’ weekly magazine, Al-Naba.
Throughout 2024, Christian homes and businesses were frequently set on fire, contributing to the ongoing displacement and economic destabilization of Christian communities in the region.
According to the US State Department, in September 2023, an IS-affiliated attack reportedly killed at least 11 Christians; media reports quoted survivors as stating the group separated villagers based on their names before opening fire on those they supposed to be Christians.
Mozambique: Armed Group’s Child Abductions Surge in North
An armed group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) has ramped up abductions of children in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.
