Over 100,000 people have been displaced and at least 700 have died in the majority-Christian country of Mozambique since 2017, as the spread of radical Islamic extremism in Africa is starting to plague the continent’s southeast region.
April 27, 2021
Images from an ISIS propaganda video
Several Catholic organizations are trying to alert public opinion to the dramatic situation in the Cabo Delgado region, in the north of the country. Massacres being committed by jihadist militias have intensified since the end of March, while the Church accuses the government of passivity.
The director of the Institute for Peace - an entity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Southern Africa (SACBC) - explains: “We tried to talk about it, but no one cared to listen. There is a global outcry now because a handful of foreigners have been affected. But this has been going on for a long time. More than 3,000 innocent Mozambicans have died in this violence and no one cared.”
A family rests at a displacement center in Pemba, Mozambique, April 2, 2021, after fleeing an attack claimed by Islamic State-linked insurgents on the town of Palma. (CNS photo/Emidio Jozine, Reuters)
Religious extremism is taking a toll on the Catholic community in Mozambique. Churches have been razed and there are communities where parishioners live displaced and deserted as a result of the ongoing armed conflict in the country.
The fight over natural resources in northern Mozambique has been identified as one of the causes of the growing conflict as armed groups affiliated with the Islamic State have been launching attacks in villages and communities.
Jihadi terrorists killing Christians in Mozambique seek to establish ‘government rule from Allah
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Jihadi terrorists killing Christians in Mozambique seek to establish ‘government rule from Allah
Jihadi terrorists killing Christians in Mozambique seek to establish ‘government rule from Allah
Women carry water home in Mozambique. | (Photo: World Vision)
Radical Islamic militants in the majority-Christian country of Mozambique have their eyes set on instituting Sharia law and have killed hundreds and displaced thousands in Southeast Africa.
Over the last two years, over 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes and farms in the northern province of Cabo Delgado due to increased massacres carried by terrorists.
Pope Francis expresses closeness to Mozambicans in Cabo Delgado
Pope Francis conveys his nearness to the people of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique, where around 600,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to an armed conflict.
By Vatican News
Bishop Luiz Fernando Lisboa of Pemba told Vatican News about the Pope’s expression of “closeness and great love”, which came during their private audience on Friday.
The Bishop said the Pope spoke of his concern for the suffering people of Cabo Delgado, as well as for all Mozambicans.
During the 40-minute audience, Bishop Lisboa informed Pope Francis about the serious humanitarian situation underway in Mozambique’s northern region.