Mozambique: Christians are suffering greatly' amid spike in attacks

IDP camp, Metuge District, Cabo Delgado © ACN

Source: ACN

Christians are under fire as a fresh wave of jihadist violence sweeps northern Mozambique - beheadings and other killings, abductions and burning of houses and churches, according to a priest helping families in greatest need.

Passionist priest Fr Kwiriwi Fonseca told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that intensified attacks by Islamist terrorists have not only led to a new wave of internal displacement - according to UN figures around 15,000 fled from the end of March to mid-April alone - but have also seen Christians besieged.

Fr Fonseca said: "The attacks show that many Christians are suffering - a number of chapels have been burned, as have their houses. The social projects no longer work, and the people are in despair."

The missionary priest stressed that violence continues to be part of daily life in northern Mozambique, and there was always the possibility of fresh assaults.

He said: "Terrorism continues… and we denounce this violence, because the people cannot continue to be punished in this way."

The priest added: "Over the past days there have been attacks in the region of Ancuabe, with the terrorists moving from the centre to the north. All the newly displaced mentioned having fled because of direct attacks on their villages, involving looting, arson, kidnappings and selective murders."

According to the UN report - a copy of which was received by ACN - villagers fled from Ancuabe, Nkole, Nonia, Muela, Ngura and Miegane at the start of the violence.

"The attacks involved looting, burning houses, abductions and targeted killings. Attackers entered at night, demanded money, shot at civilians, and set homes on fire. Those unable to pay were at risk of kidnapping. In multiple accounts, community members spoke of ransoms up to 10,000 meticais [c. £120] being demanded, often under the threat of death or abduction."

Two people were beheaded on 19th April when terrorists entered a safari reserve on the border between the provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado.

Fr Fonseca stressed that people from all religious groups were suffering, not just Christians, and that Church aid is often their only source of help.

Thanking ACN for its assistance, he added: "We don't just need your support, we also need your prayers… so that the people may have peace."

Working with Pemba Diocese, ACN has provided emergency aid for the displaced - including feeding more than 2,000 families - as well as supporting pastoral assistance and trauma counselling for victims of terrorism.

The charity has also provided vehicles for priests and Sisters working in IDP resettlement centres.

Militant group Ansar Al-Sunna (Estado Islamico em Mocambique or Islamic State of Mozambique) has caused the displacement of more than 1 million people and more than 5,000 deaths since the insurgency began in October 2017.

With thanks to Elliott Banks.

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Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org