Islamist insurgency has engulfed Mozambique since 2017. With growing poverty and economic decline, extremists have slipped into the country, posing a threat, especially to the northern region.

The Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique is an important area for its mineral and natural resources. However, most of the money is taken away by wealthy businesses or company owners, and this has created discontent amongst the local population.

Mozambique has been suffering since its independence and the subsequent civil war which ended in 1992. As an outcome of increasing jihadist movement in the northern part of the country, a significant investment in the Rovuma basin is now growing, which is of strategic economic importance.

According to The Economist, this could be Africa’s largest-ever energy project. By developing the gas fields in the Rovuma basin, energy firms would spend more than $100bn by 2030, thus turning Mozambique into “Africa’s Qatar”.

From a religious aspect, both Muslim and Christian communities are exposed to the dangers of an uprising. On 6th of April, the militants again attacked the region, International Christian Concern reported. Fortunately, there were no fatalities during this attack on the Meangalewa and Muidumbe villages.

However, with growing audacity, they did burn down a church and took multiple people captive. 

Indiscriminate attacks on villages: religious conflict fomented in Mozambique

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