A series of attacks over the course of September has caused upheaval for Christians in Cabo Delgado and neigbouring northern provinces. At the beginning of the month, insurgents burned down a church building along with a police station and a government building.
This incident in Niassa Province, was followed three days later by the capturing and killing of Christian. Islamist insurgents have reportedly taken credit for this attack on Sunday, September 6 near the village of Kabu in Macomia district.
Factions linked to the extremist group Islamic State are reported to have claimed responsibility for another attack the following day on a village in Cabo Delgado. This resulted in the deaths of Christians and the destruction of at least two churches.
Over the past decade, extremist violence has led to the death and displacement of around 1.3 million people in northern Mozambique. Consequently, Christian organizations are urging the Mozambican government to follow through on commitments to protect civilians, assist displaced people and strengthen freedom of religion or belief during a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The World Evangelical Alliance, the World Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of Mozambique made the appeal on 25 September. The joint oral statement was made at the Human Rights Council 63rd session, during the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome of Mozambique:
We respectfully encourage the Government to implement these commitments in close consultation with affected communities, religious organizations, and civil society, ensuring that measures are transparent, inclusive, and consistent with international human rights standards.
The advocacy groups welcomed Mozambique’s participation in the UPR process and its stated willingness to cooperate with the Human Rights Council. They also recognized several commitments made by the government, including measures addressing violent extremism, humanitarian assistance, religious freedom and conflict-related sexual violence. The joint statement also welcomed the government’s proposed steps to further protect freedom of religion or belief.
